COVID-19 carries some level of risk for everyone. However, various different factors can increase the risk of severe illness.

People with weakened immune defense and very obese people (with BMI over 30) are at particular risk of severe illness.

The high-risk groups also include people aged over 60 years old and people with certain pre-existing conditions. Those with diabetes are particularly endangered while those with cancer and diseases of the cardiovascular system, lungs or liver also constitute high-risk groups.

In addition, people with some disabilities, certain genetic rare diseases or severe mental illness can be at increased risk of severe illness with COVID-19.

The section COVID-19: An ABC lists the risk factors for severe illness.

Further information about high-risk groups and risk factors is available on the Federal Health Ministry’s websites infektionsschutz.de and gesund.bund.de.

Information is available in different languages from the World Health Organization (WHO).

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