Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19 Published on November 17, 2020 COVID-19/Public Health 3786 views Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. More