Table 1 Epidemiological features of COVID-19 and other similar viral infections

Viral agent

SARS-CoV-2

Influenza virus

RSV

SARS-CoV

Transmission

Airborne droplet

Airborne droplet

Airborne droplet

Airborne droplet

Infection period

N/A

fall and winter

winter

Spring

Basic reproduction number (R_o)

2–2.5

1.7

3.5

2–5

Case fatality rate (CFR)

~ 7.1%^a

0.05–0.1%

4.6%

9.6–11%

Incubation time

2–14 days^b

1–4 days

4–5 days

2–7 days

Hospitalization rate

20%

2%

2.1%

Most cases

Annual infected (Global)

N/A

~ 1 billion

64 million

8098 (2003)