A number of factors can increase the risk of severe illness with COVID-19. This means that certain groups within society are at greater risk and are therefore referred to as “high-risk groups” or “vulnerable groups”.

The most important risk factors are:

• Age

Above 60 years, the risk of severe illness increases progressively with increasing age.

• Pre-existing conditions

Diabetes, lung, liver, kidney and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, organ transplantation and severe mental illness can all increase the risk of severe illness. Many disabled people are also at increased risk, for example because paraplegia can limit lung function.

• Being very overweight (obesity)

People who are obese (with BMI over 30) and contract COVID-19 are twice as likely to be admitted to hospital. Studies have shown that fat cells can have a negative effect on the course taken by the illness.

• Immunodeficiency

People whose immune systems are compromised because of illness or medical treatment are at increased risk.

• Smoking

Because of the damage often caused to their lungs, smokers are at increased risk of severe illness.

Risk factors can reinforce each other. So when someone has several different risk factors together, as is the case for older or overweight people who also have other pre-existing conditions, it is especially important that they take care to avoid infection.

Further information about high-risk groups and risk factors is available at the Federal Health Ministry’s website Zusammen gegen Corona and from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

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