CDC Expands List of Those Most Vulnerable to COVID-19

As case numbers spike across the Sun Belt, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added to the list of those populations who are at high risk of COVID-19. First, the age threshold that initially listed adults older than age 65 has been removed. Aging in and of itself is a risk factor, not only those over 65. Additionally, older adults tend to have more co-morbidities. The CDC also notes that evidence demonstrates the following systemic health conditions increase the risk for severe COVID-19 illness:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Obesity (body mass index of 30 or higher)
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
• Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
• Sickle cell disease
• Type 2 diabetes

While the data are not as strong, the CDC released this list of conditions that may increase risk for severe illness due to infection with the novel coronavirus:

• Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
• Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Hypertension or high blood pressure
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
• Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
• Liver disease
• Pregnancy
• Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
• Smoking
• Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Read more here.