Severe COVID-19 risk increased in smokers and people with COPD

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and people who currently smoke may have higher levels of a molecule called angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE-2) in their lungs, according to a study published in the European Respiratory Journal. Previous research shows that ACE-2, which sits on the surface of lung cells, is the "entry point" that allows coronavirus to get into the cells of the lungs and cause an infection. Access the study in full here.