Table 2.
Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of comparator pandemics and epidemics in the USA relative to the first 2020 wave of COVID-19 infection in New York Citya
| Period | Outcome | Age group (years) | Observed deaths | Expected deaths | Crude mortality ratio | SMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1918–192 | Estimated influenza pandemic excess pneumonia and influenza deaths | All ages | 546 000 | 102 194 | 2.1 | 5.3 |
| <65 | 538 000 | 48 914 | 7.0 | 11 | ||
| ≥65 | 8000 | 53 280 | 0.13 | 0.15 | ||
| April 2009- April 20107 | Estimated pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 deaths | All ages | 12 469 | 730 956 | 0.016 | 0.017 |
| ≤17 | 1282 | 597 | 2.1 | 2.1 | ||
| 18-64 | 9565 | 212 473 | 0.048 | 0.045 | ||
| ≥65 | 1621 | 517 886 | 0.0032 | 0.0031 | ||
| 2017–18 influenza season8 | Estimated (preliminary) seasonal influenza deaths | All ages | 61 099 | 857 505 | 0.073 | 0.071 |
| ≤17 | 643 | 592 | 1.1 | 1.1 | ||
| 18-64 | 9554 | 222 400 | 0.046 | 0.043 | ||
| ≥65 | 50 903 | 634 513 | 0.079 | 0.080 |
a
2020 COVID-19 confirmed and probable death rates by age (as at 2 June 2020).5 Of 21 649 deaths, 1 (0.0046%) death with unknown age and 198 (0.91%) with incomplete age information were excluded.