(Yicai Global) Feb. 18 -- About 60.7 percent of Shanghai companies had returned to work following the novel coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan as of the end of last week, the Shanghai Observer cited the local state grid as estimating based on electricity consumption data.

State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power made the forecast by comparing average daily electricity consumption of 32,000 businesses in December with their consumption on Feb. 15. It assumed a company had resumed production if it was using at least 30 percent of its December average on Feb. 15.

Many companies have been delaying their return to work following the week-long Chinese New Year holiday because of the outbreak of a novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, Hubei province, and has claimed over 1,800 lives to date. Many workers are stranded outside of the city, leaving some companies to request they work from home while others have no choice but to remain closed for business.

The electricity consumption figures provide valuable data for government decision-making and guidance on epidemic prevention and control measures, said Zhao Hong, deputy director of the firm's marketing department.

Caohejing Development Zone, Shanghai Chemical Industry Park and Zizhu National Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone are some of the most populated workplaces, with around 85 percent or more of their companies back at work.

Some of the return to work rates among secondary industry sectors include electronics at 80.3 percent and utilities and pharmaceuticals both at 65 percent. In the tertiary sector average is around 66.2 percent, with 60 percent of software and financial firms back at work but just 52.3 percent of companies in the accommodation and catering industry.

Editor: James Boynton