Study: 24% of workers vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19

Nearly one in four workers, about 37.7 million, are at higher risk for serious illness if infected by COVID-19 due to age or underlying health conditions, according to a study released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The estimate includes 10 million workers aged 65 or older and people with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, a body mass index above 40, moderate to severe asthma, or a functional limitation due to cancer.

In addition, 12 million at-risk adults who do not work are at risk for indirect exposure because they live with someone who does, the authors estimate.