IRELAND'S Health Service Executive (HSE) has released an updated list of'at risk' groups who need to take extra care in protecting themselves against the coronavirus.
Those over the aged of 60, or those with compromised immune systems were among those who had previously been identified as being more at risk to Covid-19 than others.
The HSE's newly updated list of people who are at risk of serious illness should they contract coronavirus includes people who:
- Are over the age of 60 (People over the age of 70 are particularly vulnerable and should 'cocoon' by not leaving their house and having groceries and supplies dropped to their homes)
- Have a long-term medical condition- for example, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, liver disease or high blood pressure
- Have a weak immune system (are immunosuppressed)
- Have a medical condition which can affect breathing
- Are resident of nursing homes and other long-stay settings
- Are in a specialist disability care and are over 50 years of age or have an underlying health problem
Those in an at-risk group should continue to follow HSE and WHO guidelines by staying at home.
Those who are most at risk, eg people over the age of 70, should 'cocoon', which the official HSE website describes as "you should stay at home at all times and avoid face-to-face contact.
"Even within your home, you should minimise all non-essential contact with other members of your household."
The HSE has urged those who are cocooning to ask family, carers, neighbours or even the local County Council or Gardaí for help if they need it.
More information on at risk groups and cocooning can be found on the HSE website.
