ACCORDING to the latest guidance from Public Health England, those falling into the extremely vulnerable group are:

• Solid organ transplant recipients

• People with specific cancers

• People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer

• People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment

• People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer

• People having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors

• People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last six months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.

• People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD

• People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell disease)

• People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection

• Women who are pregnant and who also have significant heart disease, congenital or acquired

The guidance for people at the highest risk is:

• Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough.

• Do not leave your house for at least 12 weeks starting on Monday.

• Do not attend any gatherings. This includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces e.g. family homes, weddings, parties and religious services.

• Do not go out for shopping, leisure or travel and, when arranging food or medication deliveries, these should be left at the door to minimise contact.

• Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.

• Do use telephone or online services to contact your GP practice or other essential services as and when you need.