An Updated Comparison of COVID-19 and Influenza

Abstract

In this work, we compare the case fatality rate (CFR), basic reproductive number and infection attack rate between COVID-19 and seasonal influenza (including 2009 pandemic influenza, which has a similar CFR as seasonal influenza with a larger infection attack rate). We conclude that in an ideal situation, the CFR of COVID-19 is about 3-4 folds of seasonal influenza, but the basic reproductive number is substantially higher for COVID-19 thus the infection attack rate is higher. Without control, the total deaths could be ten or twenty times that of seasonal influenza in a severe season.