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This is a new disease, and experts are continually learning about how it affects various populations. According to the CDC, older adults (ages 65+, or who live in a long-term care facility) and people of all ages who have underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of getting very sick. These conditions include:
- Chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- Serious heart conditions
- Conditions that can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.
- Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
- Chronic kidney disease and who are undergoing dialysis
- Liver disease
It is unknown if pregnant people have a greater chance of severe illness compared to those who are not pregnant. Generally, those who are pregnant experience changes in their bodies that may increase their risk of some infections, and it is best to take precaution for the safety of the parent and child.