We are currently advising all patients to follow the guidance published by Public Health England. Public Health England have advised that all patients where possible, should employ social distancing measures as steps to reduce social interaction between people and the transmission of coronavirus.
They have also outlined patients who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus and these patients should be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. Information on who is included in this high risk group and how to follow the social distancing measures, can be found at the www.gov.uk website under guidance on social distancing.
Public Health England, along with the Government, have also issued guidance for those patients who are at greatest risk of severe illness if they were to contract COVID-19. These patients have been advised to employ shielding which involves remaining at home for a period of up to three months. Information on patients that are included in this cohort and how to employ a method of shielding, can be found again on the www.gov.uk website under the shielding guidance.