Thousands at ‘high risk’ of coronavirus are missed off Govt’s ‘vulnerable’ list
THOUSANDS of people have been missed off the Government's "high risk" list for coronavirus, it's been suggested.
Transplant patients, people with asthma and some with rare lung conditions have yet to receive a letter telling them to self-isolate.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Many are concerned that being missed off the official list will stop them accessing food and medical supplies while they shield at home, of their own accord.
Supermarkets have allocated special slots for those over 70 and for people with underlying health conditions, to help them shop while shielding from the virus.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced last month that 1.5 million Brits would be sent a letter telling them to self-isolate for 12 weeks.
The list of people who should be shielding includes:
- solid organ transplant recipients
- people with cancer who are having chemo
- people with lung cancer having radical radiotherapy
- people with blood cancers - leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma - at any stage of treatment
- people having immunotherapy or other antibody treatments for cancer
- people having targeted cancer treatments that affect the immune system - protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors for example
- people who've had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last six months or who are taking immunosuppression drugs
- people with severe respiratory conditions like cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and COPD
- people with rare diseases and inborn errors of the metabolism that increase the risk of infections - SCID or homozygous sickle cell for example
- people on immunosuppression therapies that increase the risk of infection
- women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired
Speaking last month, Mr Hancock said: "Many of these people have pre-existing health conditions and so will be very worried right now, and I understand that, and they'll need very specific sets of action.
"For instance, how do you go about still getting your chemo if you have cancer whilst also social-distancing?
"If you have cancer it's particularly important to stay away from other people, but you also of course have got to keep going with your chemotherapy."
However, many who fall into one of these categories are yet to receive the letter, claiming they feel they have been "forgotten".
Among them are transplant patients, people with asthma and others with rare lung diseases.
Anyone who received the letter is advised to stay at home for 12 weeks from the date they get it.
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.
This means not going outside even for essentials such as medicine and food, and asking friends and family to get it instead.
Only care and support workers should be met with, while other housemates or family members should keep their distance where possible.
Social distancing of two metres should be practised with anyone within the house.
NHS Digital who compiled the list said it had identified 900,000 patients who should have already had a letter.
But it said, GPs and hospital doctors are now adding another 600,000 people to the list,
And people can also sign up on the government website if they think they are high risk.
Mr Hancock added: "These are some of the most difficult and challenging cases so we'll be getting in contact with them, but if people think that they are on this list and don't receive a communication from the NHS, then they also need to get in contact.
"So that is under way, the money was announced for it yesterday.
"A combination of money to the NHS and money to councils because they've got a very big part to play in keeping people safe."
Who is deemed 'high risk'?
The following are deemed to be vulnerable and at a high risk if they catch coronavirus:
- Aged 70 or older
- Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema or bronchitis
- Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
- Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
- Diabetes
- Problems with the spleen - 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 of 40 or above)
- Those who are pregnant
- 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 who have received the letter have still found themselves unable to get supermarket home delivery slots for essential groceries, despite being promised that they would be front of the queue.
Shoppers for Sainsbury's, Tescos, Asda and Morrisons have all faced problems, with some suggesting they might have to risk going to their local shops anyway.
Boris Johnson has also written letters to 28 million households across Britain, pledging to help them beat the virus pandemic.
His letter says the Government will do “whatever it takes to help you make ends meet”.
Most read in health news
More than 750,000 NHS volunteers will begin helping those most at risk today during the pandemic.
The “National Help Service” will be helping those forced to self-isolate in Britain during the coronavirus outbreak.
This can include delivering prescriptions, driving patients to medical appointments or even just having chats with people who are lonely.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - BE IN THE KNOW
Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world - plus essential advice for you and your family.
To receive our Covid-19 newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .