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Patients with asthma and diabetes
told to enter three-month quarantine
17 March 2020 | By Eleanor Philpotts
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Patients with asthma and diabetes
12 told to enter three-month
quarantine
Patients with underlying health conditions, including asthma and 3
GPs should continue with ACE
diabetes, have been instructed by the Government to take extreme inhibitors and ARBs
measures to shield themselves from the coronavirus (Covid-19), starting
this weekend.
4
Healthcare workers with early
Yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson said anyone over 70, pregnant symptoms set to be tested for
women and people with certain underlying health conditions making Covid-19
them more vulnerable to serious Covid-19 complications, should isolate
themselves for at least 12 weeks starting this weekend. 5
Italian Embassy corrects UK
minister claim that 'over 60s not
The Government has now published a list of the conditions affected, being treated'
including severe illnesses such as patients undergoing cancer treatment,
but also anyone who would normally be eligible for a free flu jab.
The specific at-risk patients are those with:
chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, COPD,
emphysema or bronchitis;
chronic heart disease, such as heart failure;
chronic kidney disease;
chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis;
chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor
neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, a learning disability or cerebral
palsy;
diabetes;
problems with the spleen, such as sickle cell disease or if you have
had your spleen removed;
a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV
and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy;
being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above).
The Government also went on to list a group of patients who are at even
greater risk, saying these will be contacted specially by the NHS with
more stringent measures they should take. For now, they are told
to 'rigourously follow' social distancing advice.
The groups most at risk are:
People who have received an organ transplant and remain on
ongoing immunosuppression medication
People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or
radiotherapy
People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as
leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment
People with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe
asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
People with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe
kidney disease (dialysis)
At yesterday's daily coronavirus briefing, chief medical officer Professor
Chris Whitty said they hope the 12 weeks will cover the peak of the virus
outbreak in the UK, but could end up lasting longer.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people in at-risk group should shield
themselves away from social contact, only leaving the house for
exercise, during which they should keep their distance from others. If at
all possible, they should have their essential items brought to them.
In the unprecedented message, all members of the public were urged to
avoid non-essential contact with others in a bid to delay the spread of
Covid-19 until the NHS is prepared.
Social distancing measures the public is urged to undertake include
working from home where possible; avoiding large gatherings, including
in public venues; only engaging in essential contact; and entire
households staying at home for two weeks if just one member displays
symptoms such as a continuous cough or high temperature. 
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, health secretary Matt Hancock noted
that these nationwide proposals are unprecedented in peacetime and
urged people to look out for the vulnerable members of their community.
Patients advised to stay home for 12 weeks from this
weekend
Those aged 70 or older. 
Those with an underlying health condition listed below (i.e. anyone
instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, COPD,
emphysema or bronchitis;
chronic heart disease, such as heart failure;
chronic kidney disease;
chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis;
chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor
neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, a learning disability or cerebral
palsy;
diabetes;
problems with the spleen, such as sickle cell disease or if you have had
your spleen removed;
a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and
AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy;
being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above).
Those who are pregnant.
People at even greater risk:
People who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing
immunosuppression medication
People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or
radiotherapy
People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who
are at any stage of treatment
People with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
(requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
People with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney
disease (dialysis)
Source: UK Government
READERS' COMMENTS (12)
d in vadar | Locum GP | 17 Mar 2020 12:43pm
i presume its ok to supply 3 months worth of scripts, if patients request them, for
stable conditions
UNSUITABLE OR OFFENSIVE? REPORT THIS COMMENT
Ben Williams | GP Partner/Principal | 17 Mar 2020 12:44pm
What about doctors with asthma? I'm a 48 year old GP with mild asthma - not
sure how well my partners will take it when I tell them I'm off to self isolate for 12
weeks!
UNSUITABLE OR OFFENSIVE? REPORT THIS COMMENT
generalmedicalpractitioner | GP Partner/Principal | 17 Mar 2020 1:00pm
Have they cancelled QoF yet?
UNSUITABLE OR OFFENSIVE? REPORT THIS COMMENT
Patrufinito | Manager | 17 Mar 2020 2:10pm
This is sensible. Let's be practical...it's your life, here's the information, make a
choice and let's stop this nanny-ing around because you read a blog in
cosmopolitan or the daily mail. This is not roulette. Stay healthy or risk suffering. Take
responsibility, your inconveniences don't quite matter against mortality. Tap water runs,
medicines are available, food is there. You have a roof. So many privileges, so few with
gratitude.
UNSUITABLE OR OFFENSIVE? REPORT THIS COMMENT
DrDeath | GP Partner/Principal | 17 Mar 2020 5:09pm
Patrufinito,
Your post makes no sense!
Are you saying go and self isolate for 3 months or are you being macho?
Should I go? 56 year old diabetic GP?
UNSUITABLE OR OFFENSIVE? REPORT THIS COMMENT
Anonymous salaried! | GP Partner/Principal | 17 Mar 2020 8:35pm
Sent home a large part of the team to self isolate for 12 weeks. There is higher
risk amongst health workers with ltc. Dr death at my practice you would be sent
home.
Good luck and stay safe
- anonymous salaried!
UNSUITABLE OR OFFENSIVE? REPORT THIS COMMENT
Just your average GP | Salaried GP | 18 Mar 2020 4:40am
Has this guidance just cut off our arms right before we go into battle. This would
cut our team by half. Are we to send home half our staff for 12 weeks. I’m looking
for clarification from the local health board. What are other GPs doing.
UNSUITABLE OR OFFENSIVE? REPORT THIS COMMENT
Retired Shropshire gp | GP Partner/Principal | 18 Mar 2020 9:52am
What about hypertension not mentioned by PHE but reports say higher mortality
rates, does this count as underlying health condition. If so should isolate for three
months
UNSUITABLE OR OFFENSIVE? REPORT THIS COMMENT
Dissident | GP | 19 Mar 2020 8:09am
The clue is in the word non-essential. Doctors' contacts with patients will be seen
as essential I guess.
UNSUITABLE OR OFFENSIVE? REPORT THIS COMMENT
Dissident | GP | 19 Mar 2020 8:11am
@patrufinito
I get you. 100%
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