Updated guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable has officially been issued today by the UK government.
Ministers and health officials are urging those who are classed as such to take further precautions on top of the new national lockdown measures.
The newly-updated guidance comes ahead of the four-week national lockdown in England – announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a direct address to MPs in the House of Commons last Saturday evening – which is due to be voted on in Parliament today and will take effect from 0.01 GMT on Thursday 5th November.
The guidance is urging medically vulnerable individuals to stay as home as much as possible and avoid all non-essential travel out of the home, but unlike the previous shielding advice, exercise is still permitted, and they should still attend routine medical appointments unless told otherwise by a doctor.
Those considered extremely clinically vulnerable will be receiving a letter in the post with new updated advice.
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Others living in a household with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable are not advised to follow this guidance however, and should instead continue to attend work and school in accordance with the general advice and regulations set out.
Who classes as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable?
People who are defined as clinically extremely vulnerable are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) and there are two ways in which a person may be identified as clinically extremely vulnerable:
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You have one or more of the conditions listed below, or
Your hospital clinician or GP has added you to the Shielded Patients List because, based on their clinical judgement, they deem you to be at higher risk of serious illness if you catch the virus.
According to the guidance, adults with the following conditions are automatically deemed to be clinically extremely vulnerable:
Solid organ transplant recipients
Those with specific cancers:
People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy.
People with lung cancer who are undergoing radical radiotherapy.
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 that 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.
Those with severe respiratory conditions including all Cystic Fibrosis, severe asthma and severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Those with rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease, etc).
Those on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
Adults with Down’s Syndrome.
Adults on dialysis or with Chronic Kidney Disease (Stage 5).
Pregnant women with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.
Other people who have also been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of their needs, and GPs and hospital clinicians have been provided with guidance to support these decisions.
The updated guidance, which clinically extremely vulnerable individuals are strongly urged to follow in addition to national measures, includes:
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Socialising
Those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable should stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise – which can be done with those they live with or in their support bubble – or to attend health appointments.
They should try to keep all contact with others to a minimum and avoid busy areas.
Whenever they do go out, they should continue to maintain strict social distancing, wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their face, as well as try to stay two metres away from other people within your household, especially if they display symptoms of the virus or have been advised to self-isolate.
Work
If those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable cannot work from home, they should not attend work.
They may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme during this period of national measures.
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People in the same household who are not clinically extremely vulnerable can still attend work, in line with the new national restrictions.
Education Settings
As evidence has shown there is a very low risk of children becoming very unwell from COVID-19, most children originally on the shielded patient list now no longer need to be and can therefore still attend school.
Parents who are unsure should contact their child’s usual GP or hospital clinician to check whether they should still be considered clinically extremely vulnerable.
If a GP or clinician has advised that a child should remain on the shielded patient list, they are advised not to attend school, but children who live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, but aren’t themselves, should still attend school.
Travel
Those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable should avoid all non-essential travel.
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They should however continue to travel to hospital and GP appointments unless told otherwise by their doctor.
They are strongly advised not to go to any shops or pharmacies, but should they need help to travel to an appointment, they are encouraged to speak to their healthcare professional to arrange transport support with NHS Volunteer Responders.
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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International manhunt launched to find killer of Daniel Burke, who died in Ukraine
Daisy Jackson
A global manhunt is underway to find the suspect wanted in connection with the killing of Daniel Burke.
Daniel, 36, from Wythenshawe, was found dead in Ukraine in September 2023.
Ukrainian authorities have now named the suspect in their investigation, who has fled the area.
Specialist officers are in pursuit of Abdelfetah ‘Adam’ Nourine, also known as ‘Jihadi Adam’, an Australian Algerian dual national.
Daniel Burke went missing from south Manchester on Wednesday 16 August 2023, with his family believing he had travelled to Ukraine.
In September 2023, a body was found by authorities, and late last year DNA tests confirmed it to be Daniel.
GMP has said that his death is ‘made more traumatic by the absence of justice’ as they shared details of the investigation.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes of GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “Our deepest condolences continue to be with Daniel Burke’s family, who have endured the most awful six months. We know his death is only made more traumatic by the absence of justice, and those closest to Daniel remain at the heart of our involvement in this case.
“Since we were made aware of Daniel’s tragic death in Ukraine in September 2023, our specially trained Family Liaison Officers were quickly sent to support his close family members to offer advice surrounding the Ukrainian investigation.
“We’ve worked closely with the Foreign Office, The British Embassy, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and also Daniel’s family, to help repatriate Daniel and bring him home so his family and friends could finally lay him to rest.
“Our officers and forensic specialists also conducted extensive additional tests on Daniel’s body upon his return to the UK to ensure that the best evidence was obtained and then shared with Ukrainian authorities as promptly as possible. Everything in our power continues to be done to assist the investigation team in Ukraine.
“Alongside Daniel’s family we have been informed by authorities in Ukraine that they have a named suspect in their investigation into Daniel’s death, Abdelfetah ‘Adam’ Nourine. Also known as ‘Jihadi Adam’ an Australian Algerian dual national, who has subsequently fled the area and remains outstanding in efforts to find him.
“His Majesty’s Area Coroner for Manchester Zak Golombek has been updated at every stage. The opening of the inquest into Daniel’s death last month was an important step forward in the journey to ensure that Daniel’s family receive the answers they deserve, but we know this will not stop until his killer is brought to justice in the Ukraine.
“Nothing will bring Daniel back, but regardless of how long the process may take, we remain committed to doing all we can to help gain justice for Daniel and his family.”
Bolton has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2024
Emily Sergeant
Bolton has officially been named Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2024.
Taking over the reins from Stockport – which held the title in 2023, and recently hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close – it’s now the turn of the north-western Greater Manchester borough of Bolton.
Bolton has long been celebrated as hub of culture and creative activity within our region.
The area has notably produced some big-name stars in the arts, entertainment, comedy, and sporting spheres over the years, as well as having seen significant new residential and commercial developments popping up in recent times, and a blossoming food, drink, hospitality, and nightlife scene that continues to prove popular.
The Bolton Food and Drink Festival, IRONMAN, Bolton Film Festival, and Put Big Light On are all big annual events in the borough.
Bolton has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2024 / Credit: Bolton Food & Drink Festival (via Facebook)
And now, the town has got itself a fancy title to prove it – and along with that, a whopping £50,000 grant to support a year-long programme of events.
In case you’re unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about, it’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region – with Bury the inaugural title-holder 2020 and holding onto it into 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, and then followed by Stalybridge in 2022, and Stockport in 2023 – and it celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Bolton’s programme will have three parts, according to Bolton Council.
The town has taken over the reins from Stockport, which held the title in 2023 / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | The Octagon Theatre
The first is a taster programme packed full of cultural activities delivered in Bolton and its various districts, and then following on from that, there’ll be a grants programme designed to help support Bolton’s smaller cultural organisations, freelancers, and artists.
The grand finale will be the Bolton Gala – which is set to take place next March, and is gearing up to be a celebratory event jointly-organised by all cultural partners, and co-designed by residents too.
Bolton Council says it will be working with cultural organisations, creative practitioners, and residents to “strengthen partnerships” that’ll deliver a collective approach to creative programming, and Councillors hope to build on assets such as the town’s legendary Octagon Theatre, the newly-refurbished Bolton Central Library and Museum, and the Bolton Albert Halls too.
GMCA has awarded the town a £50,000 grant to support a year-long programme of events throughout the year / Credit: Paul Hayes (via Bolton Food & Drink Festival on Facebook)
“It’s fantastic that Bolton has been announced as the latest Greater Manchester Town of Culture,” Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, commented as the town took the title this week.
“Bolton already has some outstanding cultural venues and eventsm from the Octagon Theatre and the Bolton Albert Hall, to the famous Bolton Food and Drink Festival and the Bolton Film Festival, and Town of Culture will celebrate these existing venues and events, but will also shine a light on the smaller venues and events that are happening across the town.
“I look forward to visiting Bolton to join their cultural celebrations.”
Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Nick Peel, says he’s “thrilled” about the town’s new title, and added: “Bolton certainly has a promising future, and will be a great place to live, work, study, visit and invest in the future.”
Featured Image – Bolton Food & Drink Festival (via Facebook)