WARRINGTON Borough Council is working with partners to shield those who are most at risk from Coronavirus COVID-19 by ensuring they are able to stay at home.
There are some people with complex health conditions that are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including those:
Who have received an organ transplant and remain on immunosuppression medication
With cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
With cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia at any stage of treatment
With severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
With severe kidney disease requiring dialysis
Individuals in these groups should receive a letter from their GP with advice about the strict measures they should undertake to keep themselves and others safe.
Individuals who are most vulnerable and are self-isolating at home, without a support network of friends and family, will receive a basic care package of groceries.
The council is working with its emergency partners, voluntary groups, and the groceries industry, to ensure that essential items are delivered as soon as possible to those who need it.
The people identified as the most vulnerable will be contacted directly – including in person where necessary – as a priority.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, cabinet member for housing, public health and wellbeing, said: “Public safety and making sure that those most at risk from the virus continue to get the support they need throughout this period is our priority. People should stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
“This will be an especially worrying time for those with serious underlying health conditions and that is why we are urgently acting to ensure extremely vulnerable individuals are taking extra steps to shield themselves, and that the essential items they need are supplied to them.
“We will ensure that vulnerable, and older people, in our society are left in no doubt of their importance to us and our determination to protect them as best we can. More people will be required to be by themselves at home. While they are on their own, let’s guarantee that they are never alone.
“If you are not contacted directly but feel you, or someone one you know, needs help and support to remain in their homes during this time, please contact us immediately. Call one of our helplines on 01925 442441 or 01925 442443 or email [email protected].”
Residents are also being reminded to follow the governments stay at home rules, which are:
· Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
· Stay two metres (six feet) away from other people
· Wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you get home
You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms. When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection.
For the latest information on coronavirus in Warrington, please visit warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus
