COVID is less dangerous for many people than it was in 2020, but it is definitely not harmless and still causes severe illness, long‑term problems, and death, especially in higher‑risk groups. How dangerous it is for you personally depends a lot on your age, health conditions, vaccination status, and access to treatment.
Overall danger today
Most infections now are mild, more like a bad cold or flu, especially in younger, healthy, vaccinated people. However, COVID still leads to hospitalizations and deaths every week worldwide, and the World Health Organization still classifies its global public‑health risk as high.
Who is most at risk
COVID remains particularly dangerous for:
- Older adults (risk rises sharply from about age 65).
- People with weakened immune systems, heart or lung disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, or chronic kidney disease.
In these groups, COVID is still more likely to cause pneumonia, hospitalization, and death than typical seasonal respiratory viruses.
Long-term effects (Long COVID)
Even after a seemingly mild infection, some people develop long‑lasting symptoms affecting the brain, lungs, gut, and other organs. Large studies show elevated risks of new health problems for years after infection, especially in people who were hospitalized but also, to a smaller degree, in those with mild disease.
Role of vaccines and treatments
Vaccines and updated boosters substantially reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death, especially in vulnerable groups. Antiviral treatments further lower the chance of bad outcomes when started early in high‑risk patients.
Practical takeaway for you
COVID is “less catastrophic” at a population level than at the start of the pandemic but still dangerous enough that it is worth taking seriously, especially if you or people around you are high‑risk. Staying up to date with vaccines, improving ventilation, and using masks or tests in higher‑risk situations (like crowded indoor spaces or visiting vulnerable people) are still useful ways to cut your risk.
