New data shows people with schizophrenia were nearly three times as likely to die from COVID-19. Their risk of death from the virus is greater than it is for people with diabetes, heart disease, or any other factor aside from older age.
from the U.K., published in December 2021, found the risk was nearly five times as great.
“You have to wonder, is there something inherent to the disorder itself that’s contributing to this?” Nemani asked. The immune dysfunction that causes severe covid in people with schizophrenia could be what drives their psychotic symptoms, Nemani said. This suggests schizophrenia is not just a disorder of the brain, but a disease of the immune system, she said., the data from the pandemic has shed light on it in a new way, opening doors for discoveries.
“This is a really rare opportunity to study the potential relationship between the immune system and psychiatric illness, by looking at the effects of a single virus at a single point in time,” Nemani said. “It could potentially lead to interventions that improve medical conditions that are associated with the disease, but also our understanding of the illness itself and what we should be doing to treat it.
For now, advocates want the data about risk to be shared more widely and taken more seriously. They want people with schizophrenia and their caretakers to know they should take extra precautions. Earlier in the pandemic, they had hoped people with schizophrenia would get vaccine priority.One MindWhen he and other advocates first saw Nemani’s data in early 2021, they started lobbying public health officials for priority access to the vaccines.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Covid-19: Nine Covid-related deaths and 1,731 casesThe total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland since the start of the pandemic is 3,315.
Read more »
COVID.gov - Find COVID-19 guidance for your communityThe Biden administration is set to launch a website offering information aimed at helping Americans adapt to living with Covid-19 risks
Read more »
COVID.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 testsEvery home in the U.S. is eligible to order two sets of four free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests. If you have already ordered your first set, order a second today at
Read more »
Covid-19: Five Covid-related deaths and 1,414 casesThe total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in NI since the start of the pandemic is 3,320.
Read more »
County reports 414 new COVID-19 cases, 10 more deathsThe number of patients with COVID-19 in San Diego County hospitals decreased by 10 to 140, according to the latest state data.
Read more »
Austin Public Health to use new COVID-19 risk charts to align with CDCAustin Public Health is doing away with the Stage 1 through 5 COVID risk charts and using charts that show three levels: low, medium and high. Austin-Travis County is currently at the low level. | marisacharp
Read more »