The article debunks the perception that SARS-CoV-2 has become less dangerous than influenza, arguing that the apparent lower lethality observed during a recent period is solely due to the drastic reduction in coronavirus circulation. When adjusting for case underreporting, the case fatality rate of COVID-19 proves to be significantly higher, demonstrating that the difference in raw death counts reflects differences in infection volumes rather than a reduced biological aggressiveness of the virus. Currently, a trend reversal is evident, with sustained increases in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and test positivity rates, while influenza activity declines. This resurgence, accompanied by new subvariants, signals the end of the winter "truce." Health authorities warn that although damage levels are not expected to reach those seen during previous pandemic peaks, the accelerated growth demands constant vigilance, particularly because hospitalizations continue to rise as potential precursors to new deaths. The relevance to open data lies in the need for transparency in public health statistics. By highlighting underreporting as a persistent bias and comparing adjusted case fatality rates rather than raw death counts, the text exemplifies how access to cleaned, methodologically rigorous data is crucial to prevent misinterpretations by the public. This underscores the importance of sharing open data that enables citizens and experts to analyze the true epidemiological reality, beyond simplistic headlines.
Source:Published on 2023-09-04