Death rate for COVID-19 much higher than for flu, pneumonia: ONS

The mortality rate for COVID-19 is significantly higher than for flu and pneumonia this year in Britain, Britain's Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Thursday, reported Xinhua.

The number of deaths caused by coronavirus in Britain was three times higher than that caused by pneumonia and flu combined in the first eight months of this year, according to ONS's new figures.

A total of 48,168 deaths were recorded due to COVID-19, 13,619 due to pneumonia and 394 deaths due to influenza in England and Wales between January and August, said the ONS.

Among all the deaths during this period, COVID-19 accounted for 12.4 percent, whereas 0.1 percent were due to flu and 3.5 percent caused by pneumonia.

The ONS statistics came in sharp contrast with the perception at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic that the novel coronavirus is no more dangerous than flu.

"Since 1959, which is when ONS monthly death records began, the number of deaths due to influenza and pneumonia in the first eight months of every year have been lower than the number of COVID-19 deaths seen, so far, in 2020," said Sarah Caul, head of mortality analysis at the ONS.

Age-standardized and age-specific mortality rates for deaths due to COVID-19 were statistically significantly higher than mortality rates due to flu and pneumonia when compared with the five-year average and 2020 rates, according to the ONS.

Another 14,162 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 544,275, according to official figures released Wednesday.

The coronavirus-related deaths rose by 70 to 42,515, the latest data showed.

Pressure is mounting on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to consider tougher restriction measures as the country continues to see a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases.

Johnson has previously warned that Britain's fight against coronavirus pandemic may be "bumpy through to Christmas".

To bring life back to normal, countries, such as Britain, China, Russia and the United States, are racing against time to develop coronavirus vaccines.

The British government's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance has said that it is possible that some vaccine could be available in small amounts later this year, but it is more likely that a vaccine will be available early next year, although that is not guaranteed.