Guidelines for the Prevention of Coronavirus Pneumonia in Elderly People

Abstract

Elderly people have weakened immune functions and suffer from many underlying chronic diseases. They are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Most of the patients who died of COVID-19 were either elderly persons or patients with underlying diseases. Therefore, it is important to improve the knowledge and awareness of the prevention of COVID-19 among the elderly. In this guideline, we analyze the susceptibility of the elderly to critical illness, and the causes of this vulnerability. Based on the characteristics of the prevention and control of COVID-19 among elderly people, we propose recommendations from three perspectives: infection source, transmission route, and susceptible population. These measures can help reduce the infection of the elderly with COVID-19.

Keywords: Elderly people, COVID-19, prevention, SARS-CoV-2