High Risk Populations
People at Higher Risk for COVID-19 Complications
Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. For more information from the CDC, please click here.
Early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. This may be because:
- As people age, their immune systems change, making it harder for their body to fight off diseases and infection.
- Many older adults are also more likely to have underlying health conditions that make it harder to cope with and recover from illness.
If a COVID-19 outbreak happens in your community, it could last for a long time. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce exposures to COVID-19. These actions can slow the spread and reduce the impact of disease.
If you are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications due to age or because you have a severe underlying medical condition, it is especially important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of exposure.