COVID-19 still worse, but differences narrowed in 2023-2024 season compared with prior year
SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with more severe disease outcomes than influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the 2022-2023 respiratory illness season, while differences were less striking during the 2023-2024 season, according to a retrospective cohort study of veterans.
The 30-day risk of death during the 2022-2023 season was 1.0% for COVID-19 compared with 0.7% for both influenza and RSV, and 0.9% for COVID versus 0.7% for both flu and RSV during the 2023-2024 season, reported Kristina L. Bajema, MD, of the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System in Oregon, and colleagues.