COVID-19 and NCDs, 23 March 2020

For people living with or affected by non-communicable diseases:

• People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (COVID-19).
• The risk of becoming severely ill with the virus appears to increase if you are 60+.
• People with pre-existing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) also appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. These NCDs include:
  • Cardiovascular disease (e.g. hypertension, persons who have had, or are at risk for, a heart attack or stroke)
  • Chronic respiratory disease (e.g. COPD)
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer.