Coronavirus UK: Who is classed as vulnerable by the government? – Metro.co.uk

Those in groups classed by the government as more vulnerable should observe the most stringent social distancing measures and should be meticulous about handwashing and hygiene (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Amid the growing coronavirus epidemic, the government has advised social distancing measures for all, to reduce social interaction between people in a bid to slow transmission of Covid-19.

For those who are considered to be more vulnerable, the government recommends more stringent social distancing measures.

So who is included in the vulnerable group? This group includes those who are:

aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions) under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds): chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis chronic heart disease, such as heart failure chronic kidney disease chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinsons disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy diabetes problems with your spleen for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above) those who are pregnant

The above groups should observe stringent social distancing measures. This means avoiding anyone with symptoms of coronavirus, non-essential use of public transport, working from and staying at home where possible, no unnecessary outings, avoiding large gatherings or gatherings in small public spaces (eg pubs, cinema, theatre, bar, clubs), avoiding gatherings with family and friends, using email or phone to seek GP advice or contact other essential services.

The government reiterates: We strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible, particularly if you are over 70, have an underlying, health condition, or are pregnant.

They say this advice is likely to be in place for some weeks.

The governments official statement makes further recommendations for those with clinical conditions that put them at even higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

People in this group can expect to be contacted directly by NHS in England to inform them of the more stringent measures they should take in order to keep themselves and others safe.

Until that time, those who fall into these more extreme groups should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full.

People falling into this group are those who may be at particular risk due to complex health problems such as:

people who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment people with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets) people with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)

As with all issues surrounding the virus, the situation is changing rapidly. New information is published regularly on the government website. We will update our articles to reflect new developments as they come in.

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Coronavirus UK: Who is classed as vulnerable by the government? - Metro.co.uk