According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, COVID-19 patients still face a higher risk of death compared to patients with influenza. The study, conducted by researchers at the Clinical Epidemiology Center at the VA St. Louis Health Care System, analyzed data from the fall and winter of 2023 and 2024.

Contrary to expectations that COVID-19 and the flu would have equalized in terms of mortality rates, the study found that COVID-19 patients had a death rate of 5.7%, while influenza patients had a death rate of 4.2%. This means that the risk of death from COVID-19 is still 35% greater than that of the flu.

Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the director of the Clinical Epidemiology Center, expressed his concern over the prevailing misconception that COVID-19 is no longer a major health threat. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the data that shows COVID-19 remains a significant risk.

The study also highlighted the disparity in vaccination rates. While COVID-19 patients were more likely to have received at least three doses of the vaccine, only 21% of adults in the U.S. are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, as per CDC data. Additionally, only 5% of the COVID-19 patients in the study had been treated with antiviral medications before their hospitalization.

Furthermore, even if the mortality rates for COVID-19 and the flu were equal, COVID-19 would still pose a greater threat due to its higher hospitalization rate. The CDC reported that between October 1 and the end of March, the hospitalization rate for COVID-19 was 122.9 per 100,000 Americans, compared to 75.5 per 100,000 Americans for influenza.

The study also assessed the impact of the Omicron variant, particularly the subvariant known as JN.1, and found no statistically significant difference in mortality rates compared to previous strains. Dr. Al-Aly reassured the public that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the KP.2 subvariant is more dangerous than JN.1.

It is important to note that influenza itself remains a consequential infection, causing tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year, especially among older adults and immunocompromised individuals.

The study's findings underscore the need for continued vigilance and adherence to preventive measures such as vaccination and timely booster shots. Dr. Al-Aly emphasized the importance of not underestimating the severity of COVID-19, even as new variants emerge.

As further research is needed to fully understand the implications of different variants on mortality rates, health experts urge the public to remain cautious and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.