Ask HN: What's the scientific theory behind current flu deaths (genuine q)

7 points

6 years ago

Hi, this is a genuine question to further broaden my understanding around respiratory diseases, the flu and COVID. I find it extremely strange and very curious to understand how it's possible that the UK has had more influenza deaths than COVID in recent months.

First of all here is the evidence for that claim, it's a report by the ONS (office for national statistics):

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/weekending10july2020

Scroll to "Deaths registered by week" and the graph clearly shows that since early June (~ last 3 months) the UK has had more deaths attributed to the common influenza than COVID.

How is this possible?

Given that COVID is more virulent, more deadly, the population has a lot less immunity and there is no vaccine for COVID whereas many citizen have been vaccinated against the flu I am genuinely baffled how this is possible. It's a genuine question and not a troll question. I want to understand the science behind this. I would have thought that any measures we've taken to prevent COVID transmission should have been at a minimum equally if not even more effective against the flu.

Does someone have a greater understanding here on HN and can provide some scientific theory for what is happening?

Many thanks in advance!

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