By Tim Mastro

Those with underlying health conditions and above the age of 65 continue to be most at risk for severe complications from COVID-19.

The Delaware Division of Public Health qualifies these groups as vulnerable and recommends vaccines for this population to reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization or death.

According to DPH, underlying health conditions include chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, a serious heart condition or liver disease, those with weakened immune systems, diabetes and obesity or severe obesity (a body mass index of 40 or higher).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, lists 19 underlying conditions on its website, which includes pregnancy, cancer, HIV, those with organ transplants, dementia, tuberculosis and others.

“The most serious would be those who are immunocompromised,” said Dr. Bill Chasanov, Beebe Healthcare’s chief population health officer. “This is why a third dose was authorized for those with blood cancer, HIV or who have had an organ transplant. This is not the full list, but that is available on the CDC’s website.

“Age is also a factor. However, many comorbidities such as diabetes, and chronic liver, kidney, and lung diseases are still conditions that raise the risk. Not being fully vaccinated is a risk, too.”

To reduce those risk factors, Dr. Chasanov suggests vaccination, mitigation techniques and a healthy lifestyle.

“The biggest would be to get vaccinated and receive your third dose or booster depending on the condition of the person,” he said. “Additionally, these folks can practice the safety measures that have been effective throughout the pandemic — avoiding larger gatherings, watching your distance, washing your hands and wearing a mask. Lastly, as a physician, I have to say leading a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise as part of your daily regimen is always recommended.”

Delaware began administering the COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020 and since then only 103 fully vaccinated individuals were hospitalized due to COVID-19 — 1.9% of the state’s 5,517 breakthrough cases. A breakthrough case is defined as testing positive after being fully vaccinated. Delaware’s total of 5,517 breakthrough cases make up 1% of its 532,524 fully vaccinated individuals.

Dr. Chasanov said treatment still varies for COVID-19 patients, regardless of vaccination status, although fully vaccinated individuals have a reduced risk of being severely ill.

“While we document the vaccination status of patients, treatment really depends on the individual person — their comorbidities, lifestyle, and other considerations such as severity of the disease progression,” Dr. Chasanov said. “We do know that being fully vaccinated significantly lessens your risk of becoming severely ill, but everyone should still take precautions because of variants such as the delta variant. We know that it has the potential to be more infectious and cause a higher level of illness. Still, everyone is different.”

At this point in the pandemic, more treatments are available for those who do get hospitalized due to the virus.

“As time moves forward, we continue to have more options for patients diagnosed with COVID,” Dr. Chasanov said. “We have expanded use of monoclonal antibodies, newer medications and vaccinations.”

With Delaware still coming down from a late-summer surge spurred on by the delta variant, Dr. Chasanov said those who are eligible for a booster dose of vaccine should consider it as recommended by the CDC and FDA.

“We do not know what is next, so any extra protection or precaution is advised,” Dr. Chasanov said. “A good place to start for anyone who has a question can be with their primary care provider.”