COVID-19 personal risk severity assessment

Overview

Vaccination status, chronic health conditions and age are key factors in determining your risk of experiencing severe outcomes from COVID-19, including:

• hospitalization
• intensive care unit admission
• death

Although previous infection may lower the risk of severity of a future infection, there is not enough data at this time to determine how much it can reduce individual risk.

You can use this risk assessment to find out how likely you are to experience severe outcomes if infected with COVID-19, and what you can do to protect yourself.

COVID-19 Self Assessment

People who have symptoms and/or tested positive, should:

• isolate at home for 5 days from the start of symptoms
• wear a mask for the next 5 days while in indoor spaces with other people

You can use the COVID-19 Assessment for Albertans tool administered by Alberta Health Services to help you decide if you should talk to someone about your symptoms, for advice on managing mild symptoms, and whether you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Certain chronic health conditions can increase your risk of severe outcomes if you are infected with COVID-19. The conditions listed below are based on Alberta data and a review of the evidence on specific conditions associated with severe outcomes.

• Chronic liver disease
• Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
• Cardio-vascular disease (congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation)
• COPD
• Obesity

• Immuno-deficiency disease
• Renal disease (chronic renal failure and end stage renal disease)
• Malignant cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)
• Dementia

Protect yourself based on risk

Anyone can be infected with COVID-19, and anyone can experience severe outcomes (hospitalization, ICU admission or death).

Your risk level shows your likelihood of having a severe outcome if you contract COVID-19 based on current data and knowledge of the virus.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. All Albertans six months and older can get vaccinated, and everyone 12 and older can get a booster dose 5 months after their second dose. Fourth doses are now available to everyone 18 and older. You can book a vaccine appointment with Alberta Health Services.

Everyone should take steps to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19. Below are additional measures you can take based on your risk level.

Low Risk

• You are less likely to have a severe outcome if infected with COVID-19.
• You are encouraged to assess and manage your personal risk. It is reasonable to continue using precautions that suit your risk level and circumstances.
• Maintain general precautions applicable to all Albertans:
  • wash or sanitize your hands regularly
  • follow facility instructions (for example, for masking and hand hygiene) when attending health care and congregate care settings
• When transmission levels in your area are high¹, protect yourself and others:
  • distance from people when you can, and consider wearing a mask when you can’t maintain distance, especially in indoor settings
  • consider hosting gatherings or get-togethers outside or in well-ventilated indoor spaces

Moderate Risk

• You are somewhat likely to have a severe outcome if infected with COVID-19.
• Protect yourself – follow all low risk measures, plus, when transmission levels in your area are high¹:
  • consider limiting the number of people you come into close contact with
  • choose your close contacts carefully and keep interactions short to limit the risk of spread
• Certain moderate risk individuals may be eligible for outpatient COVID-19 treatment with medications approved by Health Canada that are shown to prevent COVID-19 from progressing in high risk patients with mild to moderate symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, see if you are eligible for treatment.

High Risk

• If your risk level is high, you are more likely to have a severe outcome if infected with COVID-19.
• Protect yourself – follow all low risk measures, plus, when transmission levels are high¹:
  • limit interaction with others
    • avoid crowds and large gatherings
    • limit the number of close contacts you have, and ask your close contacts to do the same
    • consider limiting physical contact (handshakes, hugs, kisses) with people outside your household
    • wear a medical mask (if available) when in indoor public places - medical masks can help protect the wearer from others
  • avoid non-essential travel
    • use curbside pick up or delivery services when possible
    • limit outings to those that are low risk:
    • medical appointments
    • time spent with others while distanced or where all are wearing masks
    • other activities where you are confident all public health measures will be in place
  • clean and disinfect any surfaces that are touched by other people (for example, toilets, tables, doorknobs, remotes) before touching them yourself.
  • seek testing immediately if you start to experience the symptoms of COVID-19.
    • People who have clinical risk factors for severe outcomes and those how live and work in high-risk settings are at risk of severe illness are eligible for free PCR testing through AHS Assessment Centres.
    • Free rapid antigen test kits are available for at-home use for all Albertans
• Certain high risk individuals may be eligible for outpatient COVID-19 treatment with medications approved by Health Canada that are shown to prevent COVID-19 from progressing in high risk patients with mild to moderate symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, see if you are eligible for treatment.