Special populations

• PATIENTS WITH LUNG CONDITIONS

  • This would include those with COPD, interstitial lung disease, asthma, or any other chronic lung conditions.

• PATIENTS WITH SPECIFIC HEART CONDITIONS

  • This would include those with valvular disease, dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, pericarditis, myocarditis, or other cardiovascular conditions that has been identified by your physician or cardiologist.

• PATIENTS WHOSE IMMUNE SYSTEMS ARE COMPROMISED

  • This would include patients who are on immune modulating medications for a number of chronic conditions, or patients who have cancer and have recently had chemotherapy. Additionally, patients with bone marrow suppression due to any medical condition or treatment, or have had their spleen removed may be at increased risk as well.

• PATIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 70 YEARS OF AGE

  • Our geriatric patients are inherently at increased risk as a result of immune systems that are not as robust as younger patients, nor do their immune systems have the ability to respond as quickly to a viral infection. This could increase the risk of our geriatric patients getting sicker more quickly, and having breathing issues or systemic issues to a more significant degree. Additional precautions should be taken, including isolating yourself from support groups (churches, seniors support gatherings, outreach supports for shut ins, etc) as they might introduce the virus into the home environment