Table 3 Comparing death rates during the influenza season and non-influenza season using different methods of defining the influenza season, 1986–87 to 1990–91.

5% Moving Average

Rate

27.10

24.87

1.09 (0.97–1.21)

Events, No.

475

841

Patient-days, No.

1752471

3382155

10% Moving Average

Rate

27.13

25.11

1.08 (0.95–1.21)

Events, No.

358

958

Patient-days, No.

1319485

3815141

First/Last

Rate

27.34

23.86

1.15 (1.02–1.27)

Events, No.

713

603

Patient-days, No.

2607851

2526805

5% Total Season

Rate

26.79

25.35

1.06 (0.92–1.20)

Events, No.

271

1045

Patient-days, No.

1011662

4122964