Omicron is 1.5 Times Deadlier Than Regular Flu: according to a Swiss study, the mortality rate of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection was 1.5 times higher than that of patients with influenza.
Researchers from the University of Lucerne combed through a nationwide database, pulling intel on 3,066 COVID-19 patients hospitalized between January 15 and March 15 of 2022. These were compared to individuals hospitalized with influenza A and B between early January 2018, and mid-March 2022. Patients with COVID were older, and around 80% of them had co-morbidities; however, more flu patients (24.6%) suffered respiratory co-morbidities than COVID patients (13.1%).
The researchers concluded in JAMA Network Open that the data suggest that COVID-19 still cannot be easily contrasted with influenza. Almost 60% of COVID patients had been administered at least one vaccination dose, while 25.3% had received three. Of the patients suffering from the flu, over 96% had type A and less than 4% had type B.
Researchers discovered a greater risk for patients transferred to the ICU with COVID-19, and the data originated from patients hospitalized predominantly for Omicron or flu. The authors contended that stricter admission testing for COVID as compared to influenza may well have led them to misjudge the intensity of Omicron outcomes.
According to the researchers, the decision not to accept these critically ill individuals into the intensive care unit warrants additional investigation. They added that their study may underestimate the requirement for Intensive Care Unit care in patients with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain.
The fact that COVID-19 data were collected during a time when 95% of COVID occurrences in Switzerland were induced by the Omicron variant B.1.1.529 is among the study’s shortcomings. One reason preprint research was so popular during the pandemic was because of the time lag between submitting research to a peer-reviewed journal and having it published, which means the findings may no longer be completely relevant by the time they are distributed.
For example, XBB 1.5 continues to be the most common Omicron version in the United States. The BA.5 version is the most prevalent in Switzerland.
These results arrive at a period when the healthcare system in the U.S. has been fighting both respiratory infections. The CDC reports that the number of cases of influenza in the U.S. has dropped dramatically since the end of December. In addition, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases that plagued U.S. children’s hospitals and wards last autumn have drastically diminished.
There’s some good news regarding COVID-19 as well, in that new cases seem to be on a downward trajectory. Still, experts continue to stress that the virus’ unpredictability shouldn’t be taken lightly at any cost.
In conclusion, the JAMA Network Open study stated that “COVID-19 due to the Omicron variant was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality compared with patients with influenza. This indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant should still be taken seriously, and improved prevention and treatment strategies are still highly relevant, although overburdening of the health care system has become less likely over time.”
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