Study Suggests Blood Type Could Determine Risk For Contracting Coronavirus

A team of Chinese researchers believe that a person's blood type could determine their risk of contracting COVID-19. They studied blood samples from 2,173 patients in three hospitals in the Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Wuhan and compared them with recent blood group surveys from nearly 3,700 healthy people in Wuhan, and more than 23,000 people in Shenzhen.

The researchers posted their preliminary findings on medRxiv, a site for scientists to publish their results before they have been peer-reviewed.

The study found that people with "blood group A had a significantly higher risk for COVID-19" while those with type O blood "had a significantly lower risk for the infectious disease."

While the results are promising, scientists cautioned against using the study to dictate medical practices. They believe that more studies need to be conducted with a larger sample size before they can determine definitively if blood type has any impact on the likelihood of contracting the virus.

"If you are type A, there is no need to panic. It does not mean you will be infected 100 percent," Gao Yingdai, a researcher who was not involved in the study, told the South China Morning Post. "If you are type O, it does not mean you are absolutely safe, either. You still need to wash your hands and follow the guidelines issued by authorities."

To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

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