Some have raised questions about how COVID-19 compares with seasonal influenza, which infects millions and kills thousands each year.

As of today, August 2, at noon, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center,  the total COVID-19 case count for the world is 17.9 million, with just over 686,000 deaths.

The United States has had 4.65 million cases, and just under 155,000 deaths.

The case counts for COVID-19 include the 6 months from February through July, 2020.

Seasonal flu can occur at any time, but the “season” is usually consider October through May, with Fall and Winter usually having the most cases.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  estimates that influenza in the United States has resulted in between 9 million and 45 million illnesses and between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths annually since 2010.   For the 2018-2019 flu season, the estimates are that up to 56 million people in the US may have had it,  with deaths  between 26,339 and 52,664.  The estimates are because not everybody is tested for and confirmed to have influenza.  In addition, the death certificates may not list “influenza” as the cause of death.

Worldwide, the World Health Organization says seasonal influenza epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness each year, and about 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths.

One observation:  in a short six months, COVID-19 worldwide has resulted in more cases worldwide than in a typical seasonal flu.  And in the United States, comparing with 2018-2019 with 56 million cases of seasonal flu estimated, the country has had far fewer confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 4.6 million.  And deaths?  The 2018-2019 estimated flu deaths:  56,000.  COVID deaths in the U.S. so far:  155,000.

One difference being observed by health professionals is that not only do COVID-19 symptoms vary widely, but once somebody no longer has COVID-19 and tests negative, they still may have a recovery period.  In an interview with Kaiser Permanente health professionals from the Big Island and O’ahu, they noted that if somebody is hospitalized and in bed for a long time, their muscles atrophy and they’ll need physical rehabilitation.

Science Magazine reported on July 31 that many patients who are over COVID-19 still suffer after effects such as a foggy brain, continued cough and shortness of breath, fatigue, a racing heartbeat, achy joints, and possible damage to the heart, lung, brain, and kidneys.   And although the initial symptoms and misery of COVID-19 and influenza may be similar, most medical journals indicate that flu seldom results in complications, and most people do not have after effects once the symptoms are gone.