Cerebral Palsy and coronavirus
The government has said that people with some underlying health conditions have a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus.
The NHS lists CP in the ‘higher risk’ category. This is not the same as being 'vulnerable' or 'extremely vulnerable' to coronavirus.
How much you’re at risk may depend on other health conditions. For example, if:
- you have asthma
- you have diabetes
- you’re offered a flu jab every year
Warning Contact your GP if you’re unsure
If you’re not sure whether you’re at risk, contact your GP for advice. They have access to your medical notes and can answer any concerns you have.
Government guidelines
The Government guidance does not consider your individual circumstances. The level of risk will vary for each person with CP. But you should still follow the advice on social distancing.
Social distancing aims to protect anyone who might be more vulnerable as well as slow the spread of the virus. Everyone in the UK should be following Government advice on social distancing.
What is social distancing?
If you or a family member has CP, you must be strict with following the social distancing guidelines. You should do this even if you think you are low risk because you have no other health conditions.
Social distancing means reducing how much social interaction you have with people and how much time you spend in public places. This will help stop coronavirus spreading.
If you are in doubt about what you should do, check these government guidelines:
Social distancing in England (GOV.UK)
Guidance for employees working during coronavirus (GOV.UK)
Coronavirus information for Wales (gov.wales)
You should also avoid contact with someone showing symptoms of coronavirus. Symptoms include:
- a high temperature
- a new and continuous cough
The NHS is contacting people extremely vulnerable to coronavirus
If the NHS considers you as extremely vulnerable to coronavirus, it will send you a letter with advice about what you need to do to keep yourself and others safe. People in the extremely vulnerable group usually have complex health conditions, such as severe asthma.
Speak to your GP or care team if you have not been contacted and think you should have been.
If you are in the extremely vulnerable group, you will need to do what the NHS calls 'shielding'.
Shielding
In England, people who are ‘shielding’ and staying home will have new guidelines, released in stages over the summer.
Shielding and expected changes
Shielding advice is different in Wales:
Last reviewed by Scope on: 07/07/2020
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