People at higher risk
Most people who become infected with novel coronavirus will have a mild and short course of illness from which they often recover without treatment, but some people are at higher risk of becoming more severely ill if they get covid-19.
People at higher risk
Who are at higher risk of becoming severely ill from covid-19?
People who are at higher risk of becoming severely ill from covid-19
- People aged 80 or above You are at higher risk regardless of whether you are healthy or have chronic diseases and conditions.
- People aged 65-79 Many healthy persons in this age group are not at higher risk, but if, for example, you have chronic diseases or reduced mental and physical health etc., you may be at higher risk.
- People aged under 65 Very few people are at higher risk, but people in the age group with certain chronic diseases, chronic diseases that are difficult to control, overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or above, and/or who have a weakened immune system are thought to be at higher risk. For the majority of younger people in this group, the increased risk is lower, as age is an important factor in the risk of severe illness. This also means that younger people with an illness or condition should not compare themselves to older people who have the same or similar illness. They should instead compare themselves to healthy people of the same age.
- Certain children and young people with chronic illness Diseases and conditions that may result in a higher risk in adults cannot be compared directly to the risk in children. Children and young people who may have an increased risk are typically those who were already subject to special precautions before the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, for example special conditions in their attendance of school/daycare. These children have diseases or conditions that are typically monitored in special outpatient clinics. Even severely ill children will typically have a mild course of illness from covid-19.
- Residents in nursing homes Residents in nursing homes are at higher risk as they are often elderly and have chronic diseases, poor functional ability and fragile health.
- Pregnant women Pregnant women are considered to be at higher risk in order to protect both the pregnant woman and the unborn child. If you are unsure whether you are at higher risk, please talk to your doctor.
For further details on who is at higher risk, including descriptions of the illnesses and conditions that are regarded as entailing a higher risk, see People at higher risk if infected with covid-19 – Medical basis (in Danish only)
If you get symptoms of covid-19
If you are at higher risk and experience symptoms of covid-19 and feel ill, you should get a test as soon as possible, as you may be in the target group for early treatment for COVID-19. You can either book an appointment for a PCR test at coronaprover.dk, or you can take a self-test. If your test is positive, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible to inquire about your options for treatment.
Guidance for people at higher risk
- Accept the offer of revaccination.
- Follow the Danish Health Authority’s general guidance on how to prevent infection and ask others to be considerate.
- Consider using a face mask in public spaces if it makes you feel safer.
- Consider talking to your workplace about how you can together ensure that you feel safe about going to work.
- If you get symptoms of covid-19 and feel ill, you should take a test as soon as possible, as you may be in the target group for early treatment against covid-19. If your test is positive, you should therefore contact your own doctor to hear about your treatment options
Guidance for relatives of someone at higher risk
If you are a relative of someone who is at a higher risk of becoming severely ill from covid-19, it is natural that you may be worried about infecting the person in question. You can do several things to protect your relative(s) who is/are at higher risk.
If you live with a person at higher risk, it is recommended that you pay extra attention to following the Danish Health Authority's general advice on infection prevention. Also help your relative and others you live with remember and follow the advice - including children. Read more about the Danish Health Authority's general advice on infection prevention here.
If you experience symptoms of covid-19, the Danish Health Authority does not recommend getting tested if you are not at higher risk, and if it is not important for any further treatment. If you are worried about whether you have covid-19, or for some other reason would like to know, for example if you live with someone at higher risk, you may consider taking a self-test. It is also still possible to book a PCR test in the public test system.
Good advice for you who are visiting a person at higher risk of a serious course of illness due to covid-19:
- Pay extra attention to following the Danish Health Authority's general advice on infection prevention, including staying home if you are ill. Read more about the Danish Health Authority's general advice on infection prevention here.
- You can consider putting on a face mask to protect the person at higher risk. In this relation, you should also consider the person at higher risk's own wishes in relation to whether others should wear a face mask.