What is a ‘risk group’ and am I at extra risk from coronavirus?

Being in a risk group means you’re more likely to become severely ill from coronavirus compared to the general population.

Most people who catch coronavirus only have mild symptoms and recover after a few days. If you’re in a risk group you may have a serious illness with worse symptoms. The government and the NHS have provided specific advice for the 2 risk groups.

You’re in an increased risk group if you:

• are pregnant
• are over 70 years old
• have certain medical conditions (see below)

You’re in the most at risk group and are extremely vulnerable if you have certain underlying health conditions (see below). If so, you’ll need to take strict measures to protect yourself.

Learn more about protecting yourself from coronavirus

The risk groups for coronavirus are made up of people with different medical conditions.

You have an increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus if you have one of the following medical conditions:

• Chronic (long term) kidney disease
• Lung conditions like asthma (needing a regular preventer inhaler) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart disease or heart failure
• Any liver disease, for example hepatitis
• Brain and nerve conditions like Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Sickle cell disease
• Diabetes
• Being very overweight or obese (if you have a body mass index over 40)
• A very weak immune system due to conditions like HIV and AIDS, or treatments like chemotherapy or steroid medication

There are some underlying health conditions which put you most at risk of serious illness if you catch coronavirus. These include if you:

• have had organ transplant surgery and are taking medicines to suppress your immune system
• have a severe heart condition and are also pregnant
• have cancer and are on a treatment like radiotherapy or chemotherapy
• have a blood or bone marrow cancer like leukaemia
• have a severe lung condition like cystic fibrosis (CF) or severe asthma that requires hospital admission
• are on dialysis due to severe kidney disease

If you’re in the increased risk group you should avoid interacting with others, and strictly follow social distancing measures.

• Make only essential trips like buying food and medicine
• Avoid non-essential use of public transport
• Work from home if possible
• Avoid large and small gatherings in public places including parks and leisure centres
• Avoid visiting family and friends. Stay in touch using digital communication like phone, social media and video calling
• Keep strict hygiene measures like washing your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds

Learn more about coronavirus testing and how to get tested

The best way to protect vulnerable people in risk groups is to stay at home and maintain social distancing measures, to prevent the coronavirus spreading further. If you would like to help, the current advice is to first make sure you:

• are not pregnant
• are under 70 years
• do not have symptoms of coronavirus like high temperature or a continuous cough, or live with someone showing symptoms
• do not have any underlying health condition that could make you vulnerable to severe illness from coronavirus

If you meet the rules above, you can help people in risk groups by:

• getting them essential supplies like food or medicines. Remember to leave all items outside for collection and always keep a distance of 2m (6ft)
• staying in touch regularly through phone calls or digital communication to check on their well-being

If you're caring for someone in a risk group and need to get tested for coronavirus, we offer a lab testing service that detects up to 98% of coronavirus cases.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has stated that a diagnosis of high blood pressure (hypertension) is linked to a higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19. In some cases, this risk can be nearly double.

If you do suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease you’re in the ‘increased risk’ group and could become severely ill if you catch coronavirus. If you’re in this group, you should:

• follow the advice for social distancing very carefully
• do not stop your current medication

Stopping your medication could cause you to become unwell or develop breathing difficulties.

If you’re concerned about any risk from taking medication for your heart, contact your doctor who will let you know what to do.

Smoking mainly causes damage to your airways and lungs, and also reduces your body’s immunity to infection over time.

As COVID-19 mainly attacks the lungs, if you smoke you have an increased risk of severe illness if you catch the virus.

Our stop smoking page provides more advice and information to help you quit smoking.