The UK Government has issued further guidance ahead of the second wave of Covid-19 restrictions. The government’s new measures for England come into place from 5 November 2020 are due to be inforce until 2 December 2020. Heatlh Experts have identified specific medical conditions as clinically extremely vulnerable, and places some people at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Health experts have identified specific medical conditions as clinically extremely vulnerable, and places some people at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19. These include:
• people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
• people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last six months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.
DKMS has identified some key points below, but you can read the full measures that apply to England here.
• Currently, high risk people should continue to stay at home and only go outside to exercise outdoors or visit an outdoor public place - with the people you live with, with your support bubble or, when on your own, with 1 person from another household.
• for any medical concerns, reasons, appointments and emergencies, or to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm - such as domestic abuse
• You should minimise time spent outside your home and when around other people ensure that you are two metres apart from anyone not in your household or support bubble.
• hands – wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
• face – wear a face-covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
• space – stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors)
If you are over 60 or clinically vulnerable, you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus.
Therefore you should:
• be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others
• continue to wash your hands carefully and more frequently than usual and maintain thorough cleaning of frequently touched areas in your home and/or workspace
You can read government guidance here for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
DKMS recommends that you keep in contact with your consultant/healthcare team regarding your health. Additionally, we strongly urge patients to follow the Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 until the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have passed.