Does reactivation of cytomegalovirus contribute to severe COVID-19 disease?

The majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 are asymptomatic or have mild to moderate symptoms. However, for unknown reasons, about 15 % have severe pneumonia requiring hospital care and oxygen support, and about 5 % develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and multiorgan failure that result in a high mortality rate. The risk of severe COVID-19 is highest among those who are over 70 years of age. Why severe COVID-19 develops in some people but not others is not understood. Could some cases involve reactivation of latent cytomegalovirus (CMV)?

Automated summary

The majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 show no symptoms or have mild symptoms, but a small percentage may develop severe illness, especially among the elderly. It remains unclear why some individuals progress to severe COVID-19, and there may be a potential link to the reactivation of latent viruses.