Flu deaths drop in Australia as coronavirus restrictions save hundreds of lives

That compares to 430 deaths in the same period for 2019. Ian Barr, deputy director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, said it was 'great news' as influenza was very hard to combat. 'I think if we could get this sort of effect every year, we'd be very happy,' Professor Barr said.