Comparison of temporal evolution of computed tomography imaging features in COVID-19 and influenza infections in a multicenter cohort study

•Decision tree analysis helps to distinguish COVID-19 and Influenza.•Pleural effusion is a typical feature of influenza in early disease.•Ground glass opacities indicate COVID-19 in early disease.•Lung involvement remains high in COVID-19 patients > 14 days after the diagnosis.•Pleural and pericardial effusion favor influenza over COVID-19 in later disease.