Coronavirus nearly three times more deadly than flu: study
Sun Online Desk
19th December, 2020 01:09:01
Roughly a year into the pandemic it is clear the new coronavirus is worse than seasonal flu.
A study released on Friday outlined just how much worse, showing a death rate almost three times higher among Covid-19 patients.
The research, using French national data and published in the journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, underscored the increased severity of illness for people with Covid-19.
Researchers compared data for 89,530 patients hospitalised with Covid-19 in March and April this year with 45,819 patients hospitalised with seasonal influenza between December 2018 and the end of February 2019.
This compares to a death rate of 5.8% among those with influenza.
Medical staffers work in the ICU of the Bassini Hospital, in Cinisello Balsamo, near Milan, Italy, April 14, 2020. (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
Catherine Quantin, a professor at the University Hospital of Dijon and the French national health institute INSERM who jointly led the study, said the difference in death rates was “particularly striking” given the 2018-2019 flu season was the deadliest France had seen in five years.
The authors note that the difference in the number of hospitalizations which saw twice as many people admitted for COVID-19 than flu may be partly explained by existing immunity to influenza, either because of previous infection or vaccination.
COVID-19 nearly three times more deadly than flu: Study dailynews.lk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailynews.lk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Coronavirus nearly three times more deadly than flu: study
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clear the new coronavirus is worse than seasonal flu, and a study released on
Friday outlined just how much worse, showing a death rate almost three times
higher among Covid-19 patients.
Lancet Respiratory Medicine, underscored the increased severity of illness
for people with Covid-19.
March and April this year with 45,819 patients hospitalised with seasonal
influenza between December 2018 and the end of February 2019.
Some 16.9 percent of Covid-19 patients died during the period of study
which was during a devastating first wave across Europe when doctors had few
therapies to turn to for severely ill people.
New study shows Covid-19 nearly 3 times more deadly than flu freemalaysiatoday.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from freemalaysiatoday.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.