According to the CDC:

CDC estimates that influenza was associated with 45 million illnesses

This was in 2018, worldwide. At the time of this being written, corona cases are counted at 47,434,036. Those are very close numbers, and you have to keep in mind that corona has lasted longer than the average flu season, due to it being able to survive cold climates better than the flu, even though the flu has been getting progressively better at surviving during the winter months.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden-averted/2017-2018.htm https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus

I replied under the wrong comment, don’t mind the comment under yours @Stoned_Ape@lemmy.ml