Decreased levels of lymphocytes allow for increased risk of microbe infection, promoting the activation and recruitment of more neutrophils to combat these microbial pathogens. 

Smith College

The relative number of neutrophils compared to lymphocytes is much higher in severe cases of COVID-19 than in non-severe cases. However, there is a decreased percentage of eosinophils (indicates parasitic infections), basophils (indicates allergic reactions), and monocytes in severe patients. A low monocyte count makes it difficult to fight off viral infections, and neutrophils aid in bacterial infections, not viral.

Abnormalities of Granulocytes and Monocytes 

Yang, Li, et al. “COVID-19: Immunopathogenesis and Immunotherapeutics.” Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, vol. 5, no. 1, 2020, doi:10.1038/s41392-020-00243-2.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-020-00243-2

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