The article discusses the risk factors for severe disease and death from COVID-19, emphasizing that older age, underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, and cancer are significant contributors. Studies from China and other regions have shown that these factors increase the risk of severe illness and death. The authors highlight the importance of accurate and comprehensive data to understand these risk factors better, especially in different population groups and settings. They also note that while younger individuals generally have a lower risk, everyone must adhere to social distancing measures to protect those at higher risk. The article calls for high-quality, population-level data to minimize future social and economic disruption.The article discusses the risk factors for severe disease and death from COVID-19, emphasizing that older age, underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, and cancer are significant contributors. Studies from China and other regions have shown that these factors increase the risk of severe illness and death. The authors highlight the importance of accurate and comprehensive data to understand these risk factors better, especially in different population groups and settings. They also note that while younger individuals generally have a lower risk, everyone must adhere to social distancing measures to protect those at higher risk. The article calls for high-quality, population-level data to minimize future social and economic disruption.