The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its list of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms.
According to Fox News, the nation's top public health agency added three new coronavirus symptoms to its ongoing list.
Congestion, nausea, and diarrhea now join the list of other symptoms that were already included such as fever, cough, breathing difficulties, and fatigue.
The CDC also updated the list of pre-existing medical conditions that increase one's risk for developing a severe case of COVID-19.
The list, which was expanded based on consistent evidence from multiple studies and published reports, now adds:
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher)
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Sickle cell disease
Type 2 diabetes
According to the health agency's statement, the recently added underlying medical conditions increased the number of people, who are now considered at high risk for catching severe COVID-19 symptoms.
The CDC noted that other conditions - including asthma, high blood pressure, and pregnancy - may also increase a person's risk of becoming seriously ill from the coronavirus.
In the agency's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published on Friday, the agency said studies showed that pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized, admitted to the ICU, and put on ventilators than non-pregnant women.
However, it further noted that pregnancy did not carry a higher risk of death from the coronavirus.
COVID-19 Updates
The CDC quietly updated the lists on May 13.
Similar changes were also made in April, when health officials added six additional symptoms such as chills, headache, and the loss of taste or smell.
Previously, the health agency said age was a determining factor to identify who is at high risk for developing a severe illness.
In the recent update, age was replaced with categories of people.
The changes did not include adding race as a risk factor, despite growing evidence that members of the Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities have higher rates of infections and fatalities.
CDC officials have already employed a panel of experts to help them identify, which groups should receive vaccinations first once a vaccine becomes available, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
They also shared data with the Advisory Committee, wherein it showed that hospitalization rates were four times higher for Hispanics when compared to white Americans.
With Black people, the rates increased 4.5 times.
American Indians and Alaska Natives were 5.5 times more likely to be hospitalized.
A recent study in the Atlanta area showed that Black people carried the same risk for hospitalizations as having pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, being a smoker, or being obese.
Dr. Jose Romero, the chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, said public health agencies should address racial and ethnic groups as high risk.
He said classifying them as high-risk would help experts prioritize people of color.
"They are groups that need to be moved to the forefront," he noted.
The CDC is expected to include racial and ethnic minority groups in its recommendations in the coming weeks.
