Per the CDC, the first most commonly reported underlying condition is cardiovascular disease, which is a known issue for 32 percent of coronavirus patients. Following cardiovascular disease is diabetes, which affects 30 percent of those with COVID-19, and chronic lung disease, which affects 18 percent. All of these higher-risk cases together had a death rate that was 12 times higher than that of patients who did not have underlying conditions. The rate of hospitalizations was also six times higher. It should be noted, however, that only 22 percent of total cases had “sufficient data on underlying health conditions” to be compared in this way.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb The data also shows the way case numbers vary among racial demographics. Out of the 45 percent of cases in which that information was recorded, “33 percent of persons were Hispanic or Latino of any race (Hispanic), 22 percent were non-Hispanic Black (Black), and 1.3 percent were non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN),” states the CDC. “These findings suggest that persons in these groups…are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.” The report shows no difference in the severity of cases across these racial lines, however. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. But if you have one of the three underlying conditions mentioned above, you are at a greater risk than others of developing a life-threatening case of COVID-19. While less serious symptoms include coughing, fever, and intestinal discomfort, some coronavirus patients develop blood clots, experience heart failure, or are put on ventilators due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. For this reason, it’s essential for those with persistent health issues to follow the CDC’s guidelines to protect against coronavirus transmission. Keep washing your hands, avoid touching your face, and wear a mask and maintain six feet of distance whenever it’s necessary to go out in public. And for more on how COVID-19 connects to other serious diseases, read about how You Could Develop This Serious Condition If You Get Coronavirus.
