The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced data to understand the impact of COVID-19 on people with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that impacts the lungs and other organs.
The manuscript, published in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, reports on 40 people with CF across eight countries and represents the most detailed information to date on how COVID-19 impacts this high-risk population.
The publication suggests that people with CF may have a lower incidence of COVID-19 than the general public, potentially due to the CF community’s strict adherence to physical distancing and other infection control measures. The rate of infection for people with CF seen in participating countries is about half the levels of the general population (0.07 percent in people with CF compared to 0.15 percent in the general population).
“The international cystic fibrosis community has moved with exceptional speed to establish a mechanism for rapid learning about COVID-19 and CF,” said Bruce Marshall, MD, chief medical officer of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and an author of the paper. “It is critical to understand the specific risks this novel virus poses to people with CF given that chronic lung disease among the general population is associated with severe complications and poor outcomes.”
People with CF are considered a high-risk group by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and are encouraged to stay home as much as possible to reduce their risk of exposure. The CDC also recommends that high-risk groups stock up on needed supplies; avoid crowds and take precautions to keep space between themselves and others when out in public; and clean hands often by washing with soap and water.
While there are many plans under discussion for relaxing physical distancing measures in different cities and states, people with CF and their families may need to practice physical distancing for longer than the general population. The CF Foundation strongly encourages people with CF to maintain these precautions, particularly considering evidence may suggest these measures are proving effective.
