Older couple sitting down looking concerned

Certain population groups and those with certain medical conditions are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness.1

Do any of the risk factors listed below apply to you or someone you care for?

Risk factors for severe COVID-194

≥70 years of age

Obese

Cancer

Diabetes

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic lung disease

Heart disease

Neurological conditions

  • Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • Being male
  • Being pregnant
  • Being unvaccinated
  • Blood cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome)
  • Childhood cancer
  • Chronic inflammatory condition requiring medical treatment
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Chronic renal (kidney) failure
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease (coronary heart disease or failure)
  • Living in remote area
  • Living with disability
  • Neurological conditions such as stroke or dementia
  • Non-haematological cancer (diagnosed in the past 5 years)
  • Obesity
  • Older age, especially if you are over 70 years old
  • Poorly controlled blood pressure
  • Primary or acquired immunodeficiency
  • Severe mental health condition
  • Smoker
  • Certain treatments, such as radiotherapy, bone marrow transplant, targeted anti-cancer therapy, immune suppressive therapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy

What to do if you are at risk and have COVID-19 symptoms

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, it is important to take a COVID-19 test to determine if you are infected.2

If you return a positive result, contact your doctor right away.

Test at the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms. If you test positive and are at high risk of
severe COVID-19, talk to your doctor for advice without delay.

#PlanForCovid

Tell your family and friends about planning for COVID-19.

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References
  1. Updated eligibility for oral COVID-19 treatments. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Accessed 15 August 2023.
    https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/treatments/eligibility
  2. How testing works for COVID-19. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Accessed 16 March 2023. https://www.tga.gov.au/products/covid-19/covid-19-tests/how-testing-works-covid-19
  3. COVID-19 disease and symptoms. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Accessed 24 February 2023. https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/symptoms
  4. Risk factors for more serious illness. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Accessed 24 February 2023.
    https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/advice-for-groups-at-risk/risk-factors-for-more-serious-illness
  5. What COVID-19 test should I do? NSW Government. Accessed 15 March 2023.
    https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/testing-managing/get-tested-for-covid-19
  6. Testing for COVID-19. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Accessed 24 February 2023. https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/testing
  7. Medicines for treating COVID-19. Health Direct. Accessed 15 March 2023.
    https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19/medications
  8. Protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Accessed 24 February 2023.
    https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/protect-yourself-and-others
  9. If you have COVID-19. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Accessed 15 March 2023. https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/testing-positive#testing-positive-for-covid19