At Risk

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Anchor lead: Who is at risk for severe disease with COVID-19? Elizabeth Tracey reports

Obesity, smoking history, and the presence of other health conditions have been identified as putting someone at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease. Patricia Davidson, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, isn’t surprised.

Davidson: Those factors are not dissimilar to risk factors for any infectious diseases. It underscores the importance of looking at the importance of looking at physical vulnerability and frailty, the elderly, those whose immune systems are already compromised are at higher risk. These are important messages that we have to take forward even after this pandemic fades away – we know it will – to making people recognize what their risk factors are for a range of different conditions.   :31

Davidson says for now, if you’re in a risk group pay close attention to the recommendations of public health authorities and follow them. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.