CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC UPDATE: UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS INCREASE RISK FOR COVID-19

Underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of serious COVID-19 for individuals of any age include the following:

Blood Disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease or on blood thinners)

Chronic Kidney Disease as defined by your doctor. Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of medications because kidney disease, or is under treatment for kidney disease, including receiving dialysis

Chronic Liver Disease as defined by your doctor. (e.g., cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis) Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of medications because liver disease or is under treatment for liver disease

Compromised Immune System (immunosuppression) (e.g., seeing a doctor for cancer and treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, received an organ or bone marrow transplant, taking high doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant medications, HIV or AIDS)

Current or recent pregnancy in the last two weeks

Endocrine Disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus)

Metabolic Disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)

Heart Disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)

Lung Disease including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema) or other chronic conditions associated with impaired lung function or that require home oxygen

Neurological and Neurologic and Neurodevelopment conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury]

Remember, be calm, be informed, be vigilant, be prepared.