Although preliminary studies and data seem to show that asthma is not among the greatest
coronavirus risk factors, those with the respiratory condition should still take extra precautions to avoid contracting the illness. Asthma was
not included in a list of the most common secondary health conditions among coronavirus patients of any age group, according to recent data released by the New York Department of Health, which includes information on over 12,000 coronavirus cases statewide.
Hypertension and diabetes were the two most commonly seen health conditions, and the list also included coronary artery disease, dementia, cancer and stroke. Obesity has also been found to be one of the
highest risk factors among severe cases.
Across the state,
people who had asthma accounted for about 5 percent of coronavirus-related deaths, according to
The New York Times.
A small observational study published earlier this month in the
New England Journal of Medicine also stated that out of 24 critically ill patients in Seattle, only 3 people had asthma — and European researchers have also noted the “l
ower reported prevalence” of the respiratory condition, in another observational study published in Lancet.
However, while these initial statistics are “reassuring,” Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist with the
Allergy & Asthma Network, urges against developing a “false sense of security.”
“I would take this data with a grain of salt as it is based on weeks rather than months or years of data like we have for other illnesses,” Parikh tells PEOPLE. “It is reassuring as we were concerned for all patients with chronic lung disease, but asthmatics should still be vigilant.”
As for why the statistics concerning asthma are so low, Parikh believes multiple factors could be at play.
“One reason for lower incidence could be
stay at home orders that have kept asthmatics away from their triggers and possible exposure to COVID-19,” she said. “Also, asthmatics may be more vigilant in taking precautionary measures.”
“There may also be an underreporting as many asthmatics are currently staying home to recover and avoiding emergency rooms,” the doctor added, noting that even in a hospital setting “when patients come in to the hospital critically ill without family members, the hospital team may not realize it is an asthmatic and thus cases may be missed.”
