Blog

COVID-19 and the seasonal flu are often compared to assess the risk and impact of both diseases. Let's take a closer look at their differences.

The mortality rate for seasonal flu is around 0.1%. Early studies suggest that COVID-19 could be 4 to 35 times more lethal. Even in the best-case scenario, COVID-19 is still 4 to 8 times as deadly.

And this, despite the fact that the actual number of COVID-19 deaths is likely higher than the officially confirmed cases. Many people die at home without being tested for COVID-19, especially in countries where the healthcare system is overwhelmed. As a result, many COVID-19 deaths may go unrecorded, and the true number could be significantly higher than the official figures.

Compared to the seasonal flu, COVID-19 has overwhelmed healthcare systems in a shorter period of time. Reports from some countries indicate that there aren’t enough ambulances available to transport patients struggling to breathe to hospitals. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has shown that healthcare systems are poorly prepared for such outbreaks.

Unlike the flu, COVID-19’s incubation period lasts several days to weeks. This exacerbates the strain, as infected individuals can unknowingly spread the virus during this asymptomatic phase. Moreover, COVID-19 can cause long-term health damage, which may be irreversible.

Closing Words

I don't mean to downplay the seriousness of the flu—countless people die from it every year. However, COVID-19 is far more dangerous and deadly than the seasonal flu. And since we currently don't have a vaccine—unlike with the flu—the only way to slow the spread is by strictly following other protective measures like social distancing, mask-wearing, and hygiene rules.