Coronavirus and the most vulnerable: who needs to stay in isolation for 12 weeks?

Written by: Top Doctors®
Published: | Updated: 24/03/2020
Edited by: Laura Burgess

Currently, as this article is published on Monday 23rd March 2020, coronavirus cases in the UK are close to 6,000. The government has warned the public to stop all non-essential contact, to stay at home wherever possible and to maintain social distancing if you are out and about. 

It is estimated that there are about 1.5 million people in the UK with very serious pre-existing health conditions. This week, these patients are to be contacted by the NHS who will give them general advice, offer support and urge them to stay at home for the next 12 weeks, as part of a strategy known as ‘shielding’. Here, we highlight just who is included in this group and what you can do if you are living with someone vulnerable.

An older woman washes her hands at the kitchen sink at home. Older people are more at risk of having complications resulting from COVID-19.

Who needs to remain in isolation for the next 12-weeks?

According to the UK government website, those who face the highest risk of being hospitalised by the coronavirus and who need to shield themselves at home include:
 

  • Solid organ transplant recipients.
  • People with specific cancers.
  • Those with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for lung cancer.
  • Patients with cancers of the blood or bone marrow, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma - at any stage of treatment.
  • Those having immunotherapy or other antibody treatments for cancer.
  • People having other targeted cancer treatments, which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors.
  • Patients who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last six months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.
  • Anyone with severe respiratory conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and COPD.
  • People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections.
  • Those on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase the risk of infection.
  • Women who are pregnant, who also have significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.
     

How will any of these people be contacted and advised?

Patients in any of those groups listed above will be contacted with very detailed advice by their GP practice or specialist. These health professionals will explain how best they can protect themselves.

 

What support is the government putting in place?

New measures put into place will include a helpline for those most in need of support because of their medical conditions.

A new Local Support System will also make sure that these individuals who are self-isolating at home, and who may not have friends or family to support them, will receive basic groceries and the local pharmacies will deliver medicines.

The government is working together with the groceries industry, local government, and voluntary groups to make sure that essential items can start to be delivered as soon as possible to those in need. Members of the armed forces will also be helping local communities.
 

What can you do if you are living with a vulnerable person?

According to Public Health England (PHE), if you are someone living with a person who falls into the high-risk category, you should keep at least 2m away during any period of isolation.

If it is possible, the vulnerable person should take their meals to their rooms and eat in their own space. They should also use separate towels and if possible, use a separate bathroom.

If there is only one bathroom, then be sure to clean it every time that you have used it, especially disinfect the surfaces that you have been in contact with.

Continue to wash your hands as often as possible with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially if you will then come into close contact with the vulnerable person that you live with.

 

 

It is important to stay up-to-date with reliable sources of information on COVID-19. We recommend that you follow the UK government's regular updates. If you are worried that you are displaying signs of the virus, you can read about the symptoms of coronavirus here.

If you need to see a specialist about any other health concerns, we have many private specialists using our e-Consultation tool, which means that you can have a video call with a doctor from the comfort of your own home during this worrying period. 

 Topdoctors

By Topdoctors
Pulmonology & respiratory medicine


This website uses our own and third-party Cookies to compile information with the aim of improving our services, to show you advertising related to your preferences as well analysing your browsing habits. You can change your settings HERE.