We found that per standard deviation, higher expression of NOTCH1 in whole blood increases the risk of critical illness of COVID-19 by 157% (Fig. 3d, OR 95% CI: 1.39−4.74, P = 0.0025), and higher expression of NOTCH2 in whole blood increases the risk of COVID-19 infection by 43% (Fig. 3e, OR 95% CI: 1.39−4.74, P = 0.0025). The gene discussed is NOTCH2; the disease is COVID-19.