Slow the Spread & Other Answers to Your Coronavirus Questions

What Groups Are at Higher Risk of Contracting COVID-19?

About 80% of people who develop COVID-19 will have mild illness that can be managed at home. According to the WHO, older adults and persons with pre-existing medical conditions or compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for severe illness from the virus.

This includes people who have heart disease, lung disease, cancer, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Am I at Increased Risk for COVID-19 if I’m Pregnant?

Women are more susceptible to some respiratory illness such as flu during pregnancy, but little is known about how coronavirus, or COVID-19, impacts an expectant mother and her baby. At this time, it does not appear pregnant women are at higher risk of the virus.

A report by the World Health Organization found that out of 147 pregnant women with COVID-19, 8% had severe disease and 1% were critical.

Should I Be Concerned About Pets or Animals and COVID-19?

While it is rare for animals to have COVID-19, the CDC and the World Organisation for Animal Health have reported a few cases, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.

While the initial reports of COVID-19 were thought to be linked to a live animal market, the virus is now primarily spreading from person to person. There’s also no evidence that any animals imported from China pose a risk of spreading the virus. 

Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals in the U.S. spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. However, the CDC recommends that you treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.