Individuals at Higher Risk

Everyone is at risk for getting COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus, but some people are more likely than others to become severely ill.

People at high risk include anyone who:

  • Is 65 years of age or older
  • Lives in a nursing home or long-term care facility
  • Is pregnant
  • Is a smoker
  • Has a high-risk condition that includes:
    • Cancer
    • Chronic kidney disease
    • Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
    • compromised immune system from solid organ transplant
    • obesity - body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher
    • sickle cell disease
    • Type 2 diabetes

Read the CDC's full list of underlying medical conditions at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including older adults, people with asthma, people with HIV and what they can do to protect themselves.

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