THE council is working with partners to shield residents who are most at risk by ensuring they are able to stay at home.

There are some people with complex health conditions that are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including those:

• Who have received an organ transplant and remain on immunosuppressant medication

• With cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy

• With cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia at any stage of treatment

• With severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma

• With severe kidney disease requiring dialysis

Residents in these groups should receive a letter from their GP with advice about the strict measures they should undertake to keep themselves and others safe.

Individuals who are most vulnerable and are self-isolating at home, without a support network of friends and family, will receive a basic care package of groceries.

The council is working with its emergency partners, voluntary groups, and the groceries industry, to ensure that essential items are delivered as soon as possible to those who need it.

The people identified as the most vulnerable will be contacted directly – including in person where necessary – as a priority.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, cabinet member for housing, public health and wellbeing, said: “Public safety and making sure that those most at risk from the virus continue to get the support they need throughout this period is our priority. People should stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

“This will be an especially worrying time for those with serious underlying health conditions and that is why we are urgently acting to ensure extremely vulnerable individuals are taking extra steps to shield themselves, and that the essential items they need are supplied to them.

“We will ensure that vulnerable, and older people, in our society are left in no doubt of their importance to us and our determination to protect them as best we can. More people will be required to be by themselves at home. While they are on their own, let’s guarantee that they are never alone."

If you are not contacted directly but feel you, or someone one you know, needs help and support to remain in their homes during this time, contact the council immediately.

Call 442441 or 442443 or email emrgplan@warrington.gov.uk.