Comparing COVID-19 and the 1918–19 influenza pandemics in the United Kingdom

Abstract

We compared the COVID-19 and 1918–19 influenza pandemics in the United Kingdom. We found that the ongoing COVID-19 wave of infection matched the major wave of the 1918–19 influenza pandemic surprisingly well, with both reaching similar magnitudes (in terms of estimated weekly new infections) and spending the same duration with over five cases per 1000 inhabitants over the previous two months. We also discussed the similarities in epidemiological characteristics between these two pandemics.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• 1918–19 influenza
• United Kingdom
• Multiple waves
• Years of life lost