Could millions with sickle cell trait be at risk for severe Covid-19?

MICROSCOPE IMAGE SHOWS A SICKLE CELL (LEFT) WITH NORMAL RED BLOOD CELLS. (JANICE HANEY CARR/CDC/SICKLE CELL FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA VIA AP)

The CDC has identified sickle cell disease as one of the many conditions that seems to confer a higher risk of severe illness from the coronavirus. The disease, which disproportionately affects Black people, could also explain some of why this group has been particularly devastated by the pandemic. Now, a group of scientists is looking to study whether even carrying one copy of the sickle cell mutation — but not having the disease — could be an influencing factor for Covid-19 infection, especially since having this trait has recently also been linked to higher rates of other conditions such as chronic kidney disease. Read more here.