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.