Doctors compare deaths with COVID, flu

Canadian scientists have compared deaths with COVID and flu, Report informs referring to RIA Novosti.

The corresponding study was published in the CMAJ magazine.

Experts reviewed data on hospitalization cases associated with influenza and COVID-19 between November 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020, at seven major hospitals in Toronto and Mississauga, areas with large populations and high rates of coronavirus infection.

It turned out that patients with COVID were 1.5 times more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit and stayed 1.5 times longer in hospital than patients hospitalized with the flu. Besides, the mortality rate among patients with coronavirus was 3.5 times higher.

The study authors believe these differences are due to low levels of coronavirus immunity compared to seasonal influenza. They expect the differences to wear off as herd immunity to COVID-19 develops.