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Chatgpt how deadly is covid19, two paragraph answer, include citations

COVID-19 varies in severity, with mortality rates heavily influenced by factors such as age, underlying health conditions, and access to healthcare. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a global case fatality rate (CFR) of around 1-3%, though this can be much higher among older adults and immunocompromised individuals (WHO, 2023). In comparison to seasonal influenza, COVID-19 has a higher mortality rate, particularly during the initial outbreaks before widespread vaccination. Long-term complications, often referred to as "long COVID," further increase the disease's burden beyond acute infection (NIH, 2022).

Vaccination efforts, antiviral treatments, and improved healthcare protocols have reduced mortality rates over time, especially in developed countries (CDC, 2023). However, variants of concern, such as Delta and Omicron, have shown differing degrees of transmissibility and immune escape, complicating pandemic management. Even with lowered death rates in certain populations, COVID-19 remains a significant public health threat, particularly in areas with low vaccination coverage or overstretched healthcare systems (Johns Hopkins University, 2023).

References:

World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). COVID-19 Mortality Update.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Impact of Vaccines on COVID-19 Severity.

National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2022). Long COVID and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Johns Hopkins University. (2023). COVID-19 Global Trends and Variants.