This study tried to describe the effect of COVID-19 in risk perception and psychological rndistress, with objective of exploring the extent of risk perception and psychological distress rntriggered by COVID-19 among clients in three selected public health centers in Addis Ababa. To rnthat effect, a quantitative research design was employed. Epi info version seven used to rndetermine sample size of the study which was a total of 384 participants were selected. In order rnto address the basic research questions of the study, data were analyzed using SPSS, t-test, and rnANOVA and Pearson correlation statistical techniques. Accordingly, the study revealed rnimportant findings about risk perception and psychological distress. Majority of the clients rnheard about the corona virus through Facebook and telegram, with rgard to the risk perception rnof the clients the total average mean that participants on this study had moderate or lower level rnof risk perception and with regard to the level of psychological distress, the study revealed thatrnthe total average mean indicate the level of psychological distress triggered by COVID-19 was rnmoderate. It was observed that statistically there were significant differences among clients on rnthe the extent of psychological distress triggered by the outbreak of Corona Virus. The result of rncorrelation coefficient between the two variables (r = 0.782, p = 0.000