How does COVID-19 compare to other recent viruses?

Experts say Wuhan is milder than other illnesses in the COVID-19 family, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (sars) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (mers). But it is still deadly dangerous. COVID-19 has an estimated mortality rate of 3.4% but it could be a lot lower than that as milder cases of infection are not likely tested.

The main problem with fighting COVID-19 is its infection rate which is estimated to be higher than the other recent viruses. COVID-19 has two or three times the transmission rate compared to the flu and the case fatality rate for COVID-19 is around 30 times higher than the flu. Here’s how it compares to other more serious viruses:

Infection rates

COVID-19 has the highest infection rate, however it could also be much lower due to milder cases of COVID-19 infection going unreported. This stat will become more accurate over time. The graph shows that it is similar to sars.

Here is the mortality rate of recent viruses

Look at Mers, I never realised how deadly that was.

Imagine if the first reported cases in China were not suppressed by the regime. It could have been contained like mers.

Mortality stats by age for Covid-19

Like all initial stats, as time progresses we will get more accurate data on COVID-19 which could change what is currently being reported. For this reason, I also didn’t bother quoting the sources for the data.

This topic has 359 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 1 month ago by Proclaimer.

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April 25, 2020 at 8:51 pm#863356
Miia
Participant
t8, I’ll try again now I’m on my laptop.
You said:
This is what I think. If the government extend the level 4 lockdown and kill the economy, they won’t be elected in the next election.
And the problem is, Australia was basically in a level 3 lockdown and their stats are apparently similar to ours.
So if Australia come out of this with a better economy with ours being totally wrecked, then we will see Kiwis moving across the Tasman in droves once again.
A fine balancing act is needed here. If they go too hard with the lockdown, it is likely suicides will outnumber Coronavirus deaths. If they are too soft, then people will die unnecessarily while the economy will be good.
A tough position for any government to be in right now IMO.
T8 it is a tough position for the government to be in but why would “suicides outnumber coronavirus deaths”? No offence to anyone but the world has gone through depressions, wars and pandemics and despite the economy humans have survived. If anything it shows the government should have acted long ago in regards to NZ’s ridiculous rising house prices. A friend of mine once said that he only purchased (including mortgages) what he could afford to still pay on the lowest income (i.e., a benefit). Wise advice. I don’t think anyone in NZ could afford to buy a house today with the lowest income in mind. All of that causes stress during times like this IMO. But it shows the failings of the government (past and present) who had the power to stop NZers greed long ago.
April 25, 2020 at 10:50 pm#863357
Proclaimer
Participant
why would “suicides outnumber coronavirus deaths”?
Obviously this is out of date now, but the premise remains.
I feel fortunate because I don’t have a huge mortgage in these difficult times, but I would be worried if I did and I lost my job.
Suicides happen for lots of reasons including financial stress. If the economy goes south and more in the direction of Venezuela, then there would certainly be more suicides.
Tell you what though, it will be interesting in months or a year from now who fared better, Sweden or New Zealand. We both let the virus into our countries but took an opposite strategy. It’s a bit random because the virus could mutate to a more deadly strain in a second wave like the Spanish Flu did and Sweden’s approach would be better because their population would have way more immunity. But if it didn’t do that, it is still up for grabs whose strategy is best. We will see. The reality is though, their economy will likley be in better shape than ours.
April 25, 2020 at 10:52 pm#863358
Proclaimer
Participant
As for houses, New Zealand has a supply and demand problem. If we are going to allow immigration which I agree is a good thing, then we should be building more homes to compensate for the growing population.
April 26, 2020 at 2:30 am#863364
GeneBalthrop
Participant
T8……Why do you think immigration is a good thing for you? I don’t see it that way over here in the US. You have a beautiful country, why not keep it that way.?
Peace and love to you and yours. ……..gene
April 27, 2020 at 10:03 am#863432
Proclaimer
Participant
Queensland’s stats are similar to ours. Similar population, but they never went Level 4 and seem to be at Level 3 judging by what business have remained open. In short, their economy wasn’t trashed in the process.
April 27, 2020 at 5:38 pm#863447
Proclaimer
Participant
Back down to 5 new cases.
April 27, 2020 at 6:04 pm#863449
Proclaimer
Participant
@genebalthrop
I’m talking about legal immigration and capped at a number that the country can handle.
Practically everyone here is an immigrant.
We were the last major landmass discovered and the oldest group of humans (Maori) discovered New Zealand 1000 years ago.
For the last couple of centuries, people from mostly UK and Europe have been coming here.
April 28, 2020 at 3:14 am#863457
GeneBalthrop
Participant
T8. …..Thank God you are controlling immigration, you don’t want what has happened here to happen over there. God gave you people a beautiful country keep it that way. We have a beautiful country also, we just need to take care of it better, but so much unlimited immigration has really effected us, we are seening more and more third world county practices taking place . I believe President Trump is trying to straighten thing out, but has a lot of ignorant Democratic resistance. I can hardly wait for the return of Jesus and maybe we can finally get this all sorted out.
Peace and love to you and yours. ……….gene
April 28, 2020 at 8:38 am#863468
Proclaimer
Participant
We basically have zero illegal immigration. Thousands of miles of sea is our wall and it is extremely effective.
Our neighbour Australia is the same, but they have the world’s largest Moslem country on their doorstep. They get boats turning up now and then, but the people are put into a detention centre on an island outside of the country which has takes the incentive away to embark on such a journey.
Trump has had a tough job securing your southern border. He is doing well despite the opposition. He is the best leader for this time and place.
April 29, 2020 at 9:19 am#863502
Proclaimer
Participant
Should be getting zero new cases soon I imagine. Queensland is already there.
April 30, 2020 at 4:45 pm#863541
Proclaimer
Participant
New cases staying level for now.
April 30, 2020 at 4:53 pm#863542
Proclaimer
Participant
May 1, 2020 at 2:53 pm#863568
Proclaimer
Participant
Same again. Three new cases.
May 4, 2020 at 4:50 pm#863678
Proclaimer
Participant
New cases back up. Very frustrating.
May 4, 2020 at 4:50 pm#863679
Proclaimer
Participant
New cases at the lowest so far.
May 4, 2020 at 4:52 pm#863680
Proclaimer
Participant
For the first time since 16 March there are no new cases of Covid-19 to report.
May 8, 2020 at 11:24 am#863799
Proclaimer
Participant
Another day of zero cases.
May 8, 2020 at 11:26 am#863800
Proclaimer
Participant
Two new cases, but from known clusters.
May 8, 2020 at 11:27 am#863801
Proclaimer
Participant
Encouraging. Hopefully drops to zero tomorrow.
May 8, 2020 at 11:28 am#863802
Proclaimer
Participant
Reality Check
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