Summary of COVID-19 Omicron Variant Is More Deadly Than the Seasonal Flu:
New research presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases suggests that adults hospitalized with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 have a higher death rate than those with seasonal influenza. This is even though the Omicron strain is considered less virulent than Delta and Alpha strains. Researchers compared the clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (Omicron variant) and those hospitalized with influenza at a large academic hospital in Israel. Overall, 63 patients died within 30 days, with 44 (26%) hospitalized with Omicron and 19 (9%) admitted with influenza. Patients with Omicron had more underlying illnesses and lowered COVID-19 vaccination rates than those with flu. The authors point out that the study was observational and conducted in one hospital in Israel, so the results may not apply to other countries and populations.
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Hospitals See Higher Death Rate for Omicron Patients Compared to Flu Patients
A new study by researchers from the Rabin Medical Center at Belinison Hospital in Israel suggests that adults hospitalized with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 have a higher death rate than those hospitalized with seasonal influenza. The study, which will be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Copenhagen, Denmark, found that patients hospitalized with the flu had a 55% lower likelihood of dying within 30 days compared to those hospitalized with the Omicron variant.
Factors for Higher Death Rate in Omicron Patients
Although the strain is considered less virulent and has lower case fatality rates than alpha strains, the study found that patients with Omicron tended to have higher overall comorbidity scores and were more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes. They also needed more assistance with activities of daily living and were more likely to experience respiratory complications requiring oxygen support and mechanical ventilation. The study also found that patients with Omicron were older, with more underlying illnesses, and had lower COVID-19 vaccination rates.
Advice from the Researchers
According to Dr. Alaa Atamna, who led the study, the double whammy of overlapping influenza and COVID-19 epidemics will increase the complexity of the disease and the burden on health systems. “There is one basic step people can take that may alter the trajectory of either epidemic, get the vaccines for flu and COVID-19, especially if you are older and have underlying illnesses,” he said.
Further Limitations of the Study
The study was observational, so it cannot prove causation. It was conducted in one hospital in Israel, so the results may not apply to other countries and populations. The study included only hospitalized patients, so the proportion of hospitalized patients in the total number of infected patients cannot be estimated. Other factors, such as influenza and COVID-19 vaccination status, may also have influenced the results. The study cannot rule out the possibility that the excess mortality observed for Omicron could be the result of an influenza season that was less severe than usual.
Conclusion
This study highlights the need for health systems to manage the dual burden of influenza and COVID-19 effectively. Although the study has limitations, it provides essential insights into the differences in clinical outcomes between Omicron and seasonal flu. Vaccinations against both diseases can significantly reduce the severity and mortality of the illness. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, more research is needed to understand the long-term impact of the virus on the global population.
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