Almost two million more people in England will receive letters asking them to shield after experts at Oxford University identified additional adults at serious risk of complications from Covid-19.
The original shielding list of around 2.2 million individuals, includes people with cancer, people on immunosuppression drugs, transplant recipients, or those with severe respiratory conditions. They’ll soon be joined by another 1.7 million who have recently been identified.
The expanded shielding list will include people who might be at higher risk of severe illness or death from Covid-19, who not initially identified as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV).
Risk factors considered include age, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), other health conditions and also postcode, which is indicative of levels of deprivation.
Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, said the approach is “risk averse” to “protect as many people as possible” as England continues to battle with fast-spreading Covid variants.
If you are identified as a person that needs to shield you will receive a letter in the post.
“The letter will note that this is more likely to be an overestimate of risk in a way which hopefully handles any of their anxiety,” Dr Harries said.
“And it makes it absolutely clear that it is a choice for them if they choose to follow shielding advice or not – that has always been the case.”
Those added to the list will receive the additional support available to those deemed to be clinically extremely vulnerable, including medicine deliveries, priority slots for supermarkets and statutory sick pay, confirmed Dr Harries.
These extra people will be advised to stay home as much as possible, avoid the shops and work from home if they’re not already doing so.
Those who can’t work from home will be entitled to statutory sick pay.
The shielding guidance will be in place until at least March 31st.
