President Trump's Age, Health Raise His Risk For Severe COVID-19 Infection

According to CDC risk factors, President Donald Trump is at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

“We look at age 50, 60, 70, 80, with each increment of age, the risk of hospitalization and dying increases,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases doctor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “So, the president's risk on the basis of age alone is increased because he's in the 70s.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths in the United States have been among adults age 65 and older.

The White House physician said in June that the president remains healthy. His most recent physical exam showed he is 6 foot 3 and weighs 244 pounds. That’s a body mass index of over 30, which is considered obese, another risk factor for severe COVID-19.

“The next couple of days are rather critical. I'm sure that the president's physicians are keeping a very close eye on him,” Schaffner said.

Gender may also put the president at higher risk. Some factors show men are more likely to die from COVID-19 than women.

Schaffner said regardless of risks, this virus can be unpredictable.

“This virus can take a perfectly healthy person, at any age, and put them in the intensive care unit. The virus has that capacity. So everyone who's infected can be at danger,” he said.

The first lady has also tested positive. Statistically, she is less likely to have severe infection.

Other risk factors for severe illness include cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart conditions.