COVID-19: Is COVID-19 a serious disease?

Around 1 out of every 5 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and may develop difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, diabetes, or cancer, are at higher risk of developing a serious illness. However, anyone can catch COVID-19 and become seriously ill. Even people with very mild symptoms of COVID-19 can spread the virus.