Posted on Friday 17th April 2020
Extremely vulnerable people without support should register for help
Extremely-vulnerable people ‘shielding’ themselves from the Coronavirus are urged to stay safe and register for help if they need it.
The call follows the Government’s announcement that lockdown will be extended for at least another three weeks to protect the public and support the NHS’s capacity to cope.
Approximately 20,000 ‘extremely-vulnerable’ Staffordshire residents have been advised by letter not to leave home until at least the end of May – and to stay at least two metres away from others within their own home.
Now with the wider lockdown extended until at least next month, those who don’t have access to support from family, friends, or the community during that isolation should register with the NHS to make sure they receive help if they need it.
Alan White, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council and cabinet member for Health, Care and Wellbeing, said:
It’s essential that those who are following medical advice to protect themselves and the NHS by staying indoors and avoiding contact carry on doing so at all costs.
First and foremost we want people shielding themselves to use their family and friends, neighbours, or community support groups to help them with food shopping and collecting medicines.
But if someone who is extremely-vulnerable is staying at home and has no-one to turn to, they should follow the advice in the letter as soon as possible and register for help.
Details will be in the letter and food parcels are being organised nationally for these people.”
People classed as extremely-vulnerable include those who have had organ transplants, have certain cancers, or severe respiratory conditions.
Further details of who the extremely-vulnerable are and what they need to do are available on the Department of Health website here.
If someone without any support is not online, hasn’t received a letter and thinks they have an underlying health condition which makes them extremely-vulnerable they should contact the county council on 0300 111 8050.