By updating the risk groups and treatment recommendations against Covid-19, WHO considered that the risk of serious illness and death has been reduced for most patients.

The UN health agency created a new moderate-risk category which now includes many of those previously considered high-risk, including older adults and/or those with chronic conditions, disabilities and co-morbidities of chronic conditions.

Immunocompromised individuals remain in the high-risk category, while all others are considered low risk.

WHO continues to strongly recommend nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (also known as Paxlovid) for those at high and moderate risk of hospitalization.

For those with fewer symptoms for hospital admission, WHO does not advise any antiviral treatment, while symptoms such as fever and pain can still be treated with analgesics such as paracetamol.

The updated risk estimates will help healthcare professionals to identify people at high, moderate or low risk of hospital admission and tailor treatment according to WHO guidelines.

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