‘Clinically vulnerable’ describes the wider group of people who have been identified as being more at risk from the new coronavirus but not so severely that they need to shield themselves. But it then incorrectly said that the “clinically vulnerable” have been asked to stay inside for at least 12 weeks, when this is actually the shielding advice given to the “clinically extremely vulnerable.” The piece has since been corrected. 27 Jul 2020 Does Biden's new team better reflect America? Employers must be especially careful and take extra steps for anyone in their workforce who is vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19). The government suggests drawing up a rota for bathing, with the clinically extremely vulnerable family member using the facilities first. But the difference between the groups hasn’t always been communicated well. The clinically extremely vulnerable group has been told to shield, while the clinically vulnerable group hasn’t. US energy department caught up in giant cyber-hack, Hundred-year-old whisky bottles found in house walls. Our readers have asked us to  explain this. This "nuclear" option would extend the … Ministers faced a backlash on Sunday night over plans to extend the Government's shielding programme to some over-50s this winter.. Tory MPs and business leaders warned that telling over … LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) - Isolating people aged over 70 for up to four months is in Britain's action plan to tackle coronavirus and it will be implemented in the coming weeks, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday. 5 Aug 2020 . There are about nine million people over 70 in the UK, which is about 14% of the population. At the moment, the rules for this group are not different, so they are allowed out to take exercise or can leave their homes to go to work if they cannot work from home, but they are strongly advised to "take particular care". The risk is particularly stark for those aged over 85. Being over 70 is classed as Vunerable. The government advice on social distancing at the time, said people aged 70 or older are classed as clinically vulnerable, regardless of any medical conditions. The formal shielding notification you receive will act as evidence for your employer of the Department of Work and Pensions that you are advised to shield and may be eligible for SSP or ESA. If you’re over 70 or living with a long-term health condition or have previously been shielding, then you’re at increased risk from coronavirus. The British Medical Association said any exceptions to the easing of lockdown should be on the basis of the need to protect individuals and that quarantining people "based solely on age would be both unethical and illegal". This group also includes pregnant women and anyone classed as seriously overweight, with a body mass index of 40 or above. Those who live alone can meet one person from another household, and ideally the same person every time. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Full Fact, 2 Carlton Gardens, London, SW1Y 5AA. "People over 70 might feel there is something excessive about these measures. Government advice also recommends avoiding using the kitchen when others are present, and taking your meals back to your room to eat, sleeping alone and keeping two metres (or three steps) away from people you live with if possible. As discussed above, this group includes anyone aged 70 or older regardless of their medical conditions. The current advice is for people in this group to shield until the end of June. Andrew was receiving calls in the morning from frustrated over 70s who are shielding as part of the UK's coronavirus response. Asked whether people over 70 would be treated as a single group when lockdown restrictions are eased, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I can assure people that the shielding measures, which are going to have to go on for some time, they are not blanket measures and they do not apply to all over-70s.". The government doesn’t actually recommend that clinically vulnerable people follow any rules that differ from the universal social distancing guidance. But Sunday's announcement of how lockdown rules could be relaxed in the coming months in England from Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not distinguish between different age groups. The "shielding" process has left millions of vulnerable people confined to their homes while the rest of the country steps outside once more. People who have severe respiratory conditions or rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections, People who have received a solid organ transplant, People who are receiving immunosuppression therapies that could significantly increase their risk of infection, Women who are pregnant and have significant heart disease. Video, Hundred-year-old whisky bottles found in house walls, Eminem uses song to say sorry to Rihanna for backing Chris Brown, Tyler Perry, billionaire, opens up about mid-life crisis, Cyberpunk 2077: Sony pulls game from PlayStation while Xbox offers refunds, US cyber-attack: US energy department confirms it was hit by Sunburst hack, Covid: US Vice-President Mike Pence receives vaccine live on TV, US fraternities busted for 'large-scale' drug ring, The Stand: Anger over actor cast in deaf role for Stephen King TV series, Trump trade chief wants WTO leadership race reopened, Italian 'Casanova' online gang broken up in Turin, Japan: Snow traps 1,000 drivers in frozen traffic jam. Isolating people aged over 70 for up to four months is in Britain's action plan to tackle coronavirus and it will be implemented in the coming weeks, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Sunday. If you have not received a letter but think you should have, you should discuss this with your GP. If you live with other people you should minimise the time you spend with them in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas, and keep these spaces well ventilated. The Scottish government guidance will be updated with above. Studies from several different countries show that the large majority of people dying of COVID-19 are over 70 years of age. The government is right to say people over the age of 70 are more likely than younger people to have severe cases of Covid-19. By asking the over-70s, who were most likely to need hospital treatment, to be extra careful, the government hoped to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed. Updated to to include current advice and the SMS Shielding Service contact information. If you are an unpaid carer for someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, you should ensure you only provide essential care and follow advice on good hygiene, and do not visit or provide care if you are unwell. Read about our approach to external linking. If people who are shielding choose to leave their house, they are advised to try and go outside when fewer people are around, such as early in the morning. People in this more at-risk group should have received a letter from their GP, and the measures that they are supposed to take are more severe, including not leaving their homes at all and remaining in lockdown until at least the end of June. 3 Aug 2020 . Many were annoyed at the fact they are being treated differently by the government and isolating even though they may not be as frail as they're being shown to be. It said these people are at higher risk of severe illness and “should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household.”. Over-70s who have underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. No work should be carried out in a household where someone has been advised to shield, unless there is a direct risk to safety such as emergency plumbing or repairs, or to provide emergency childcare. However, there has been some confusion about who exactly is required to shield and what this means in practice. Mr Hancock  may have meant that over 70s are not classed automatically as “clinically extremely vulnerable.” He said: “The clinically vulnerable, who are advised to stay in lockdown for 12 weeks, emphatically DO NOT include all over 70s. Is shielding compulsory? My dad is over 70 but had a shielding letter at the start of lockdown. Vice-President Pence gets Covid jab live on TV. We need your help to protect us all from false and harmful information. Coronavirus outbreak Over 70s: have you been shielding yourselves from coronavirus at home? You should opt-in to this offer by Wednesday 11 November by either: 24 March 2020. ... For over 70s – the advice to everybody is to avoid unnecessary social contact. Your doctor may have given your extra advice on what to do, that is not covered in the guidance, which you should follow. At the moment, government policy is that healthy over-70s are being asked to be extra careful about following the rules, but are not being shielded in the way that people with certain health conditions are. People aged over seventy could be told to follow social distancing rules for a YEAR to fight coronavirus. Asked by Sky News whether people would be told to isolate for up to four months, Hancock said: " It promotes hate, damages people’s health, and hurts democracy. Shielding will not automatically be triggered by an area going into a ‘very high’ alert level, but it will be “an additional intervention”. Those with specific health conditions who have received an NHS letter advising them to shield for 3 months (Extremely Vunerable). 'Banshee, shrew': An angry song wants women to be seen, .css-q4by3k-IconContainer{display:none;height:1em;width:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-right:0.25em;}playHundred-year-old whisky bottles found in house walls. ... especially over the coming winter months. People deemed most at risk of becoming seriously ill from the new coronavirus have been advised to “shield” by the government, meaning they should not leave their homes and should minimise all face-to-face contact until at least the end of June. 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