There are 2 levels of higher risk:
1. Very high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable)
People at very high risk from coronavirus include people who:
• Have had an organ transplant
• Are having chemotherapy or antibody treatment for cancer, including immunotherapy
• Are having an intense course of radiotherapy (radical radiotherapy) for lung cancer
• Are having targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system (such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors)
• Have blood or bone marrow cancer (such as leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma)
• Have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in the past 6 months, or are still taking an immunosuppressant medicine
• Have been told by a doctor they you have a severe lung condition (such as cystic fibrosis, severe asthma or severe COPD)
• Have a condition that means they have a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID or sickle cell)
• Are taking medicine that makes them much more likely to get infections (such as high doses of steroids)
• Were born with a serious heart condition and are pregnant
If you’re at very high risk from coronavirus, you should have received a letter from the NHS.
What to do if you’re at very high risk:
If you’re at very high risk from coronavirus, you’re advised to take extra steps to protect yourself.
This includes not leaving your home for any reason (called shielding). Further information about shielding is available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
2. High risk (extremely vulnerable)
People at high risk from coronavirus include people who:
• Are 70 or older
• Are pregnant
• Have a lung condition that’s not severe (such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis)
• Have heart disease (such as heart failure)
• Have diabetes
• Have chronic kidney disease
• Have liver disease (such as hepatitis)
• Have a condition affecting the brain or nerves (such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy)
• Have a condition that means they have a high risk of getting infections
• Are taking medications that can affect the immune system (such as low doses of steroids)
• Are very obese (a BMI of 40 or above)
What to do if you’re at high risk:
If you’re at high risk from coronavirus, it’s very important you follow the advice about staying at home to avoid getting coronavirus.
This means you should only leave your home if it’s essential, for example, to get food or medicine.
Unlike people at very high risk, you will not get a letter from the NHS advising you to stay at home at all times.