<s>[INST] WHO IS AT MOST RISK FOR COVID-19? [/INST] As there is community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa, all South Africans are at risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 (illness called COVID-19). There are areas of the country where local transmission of the virus may be occurring at higher rates than other areas. Daily updates are available on nicd.ac.za and www.health.gov.za. 

People who have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are at an increased risk of infection and disease.  In addition, healthcare workers have an increased risk of acquiring infection in the workplace. The elderly and individuals with co-morbidities, such as heart disease (including high blood pressure), chronic respiratory diseases, cancer patients, endocrine diseases (such as diabetes), have been found to be at a higher risk of severe illness and mortality associated with COVID-19.  Source: NICD. Link: https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/disease-index-covid-19/frequently-asked-questions/. Field: Infectious Disease. Disease: COVID </s>