Mortality Rate For COVID-19 Has Surpassed The Flu, According To World Health Organization
Mar 4, 2020, 6:27 AM | Updated: Oct 1, 2020, 11:50 am
(Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Authorities have announced the mortality rate for COVID-19 has now surpassed the flu.
“Globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General for the World Health Organization.
The mortality rate for the flu is about 0.1% annually, according to a report from the New York Times.
Ghebreyesus said global communities have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, but COVID-19 is new, and no one has immunity.
“That means more people are susceptible to infection,” he said. “Some will suffer severe disease.”
Coronavirus Resources
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How do I prevent it?
The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- If soap and water is not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.