Advice for groups at greater risk

There are a range of factors that increase your risk of serious illness. These include age, existing health conditions, disability and your background. Find out more about the factors and what you can do to minimise your risk.

Age

The risk of serious illness from COVID-19 increases with age, particularly over 70 years old.

People living with dementia or some form of cognitive impairment may find it difficult to follow instructions to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19, or alert others about potential symptoms.

Find out more about keeping yourself, or someone you care for, safe.

Protecting those in residential aged care

Residents and their visitors need to keep up to date with changes in residential aged care to protect residents during COVID-19. We are working with managers, staff, residents, family and friends to protect older people in aged care facilities.

Changes to in-home aged care services 

The services you currently receive will continue. However, there may be some changes to the way you receive the service.

Find out more about how in-home aged care services have changed due to COVID-19.

Access to aged care grief and trauma support services

These services are free and available Australia-wide. They provide grief and trauma support for those living, working and caring in the aged care sector, who have been impacted by COVID-19.

Health conditions

Not being vaccinated increases your risk of serious illness from COVID-19. There are also a number of treatments, illnesses, conditions and other factors that increase the risk of serious illness.

Find out more about the health conditions that can increase your risk from COVID-19.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those in remote communities are at greater risk from COVID-19. This is because of the higher rates of other health issues and the difficulty in accessing health care.

Find out what you can do to keep your community safe from COVID-19.

People with disability

People with disability face a greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19. This is because of existing health conditions and the difficulties in maintaining physical distancing and hygiene measures, such as wearing a mask.

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