When we talk about at-risk groups for Covid-19, we mean people who are at a higher risk of getting a serious illness if they are infected.

No, even if you’re in an at-risk group, it doesn’t mean you have an increased chance of catching the virus. It means that it may have a bigger impact on your health if you do catch it.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) can make anyone seriously ill. But for some people, the risk is higher.

There are 2 levels of higher risk:

·       very high risk (also called extremely vulnerable)

·       high risk

Very high risk groups (extremely vulnerable)

 The HSE recommends for Very high risk people is to follow the advise on cocooning.

The lit of people in very high risk groups include people who:

• are over the age of 70 even if you feel fit and well.
• Have had an organ transplant
• Are undergoing active cancer treatment
• Have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
• Are on dialysis
• Have unstable or sever cystic fibrosis. This includes those waiting for a transplant.
• Have severe respiratory conditions
• Have a condition that’s means you have a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell)
• Are taking medicine that makes you much more likely to get infections (such as high dose) of steroids or immunosuppression therapies)
• Have a serious heart condition and you are pregnant

If you can identify yourself as being in the very high risk group, you need to cocoon.

High risk groups

 The HSE recommends high risk people is to follow tha advise on how to protect yourself from coronavirus.

The list of people in high risk groups include those who:

• Are over the age of 60 years
• Have a learning disability
• Have a lung condition
• Have heart disease
• Have high blood pressure
• Have diabetes
• Have chronic kidney disease
• Have liver disease
• Have a medical condition that can affect your breathing
• Have cancer
• Have clinical stable cytic fibrosis
• Have a weak immune system
• Have cerebrovascular disease
• Have a condition affecting your brain or nerves (such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy)
• Have a problem with your spleen or have had your spleen removed.
• Have obesity
• Are residents of nursing homes and other long stay settings
• Are in specialist disability care and are over 50 years of age or have an underlying health problem

If you are at high risk, you need to take extra care to follow the advice to protect yourself from coronavirus. This includes:

• Staying at home as much as possible
• Social distancing
• Limiting your social interactions to a very small network for short periods of time
• Washing your hands regularly and properly
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you are showing symptoms of coronavirus
• You should work from home where possible.

See HSE guidance on protecting yourself and others https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/protect-yourself-and-others.html

Some people are classified as very high risk. This group includes people who:

• Are over the age of 70 even if you feel fit and well.
• Have had an organ transplant
• Are undergoing active cancer treatment
• Have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
• Are on dialysis
• Have unstable or sever cystic fibrosis. This includes those waiting for a transplant.
• Have severe respiratory conditions
• Have a condition that’s means you have a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell)
• Are taking medicine that makes you much more likely to get infections (such as high dose) of steroids or immunosuppression therapies)
• Have a serious heart condition and you are pregnant

If you are part of the very high-risk group, you need to cocoon.

The list of people in high risk groups include those who:

• Are over the age of 60 years
• Have a learning disability
• Have a lung condition
• Have heart disease
• Have high blood pressure
• Have diabetes
• Have chronic kidney disease
• Have liver disease
• Have a medical condition that can affect your breathing
• Have cancer
• Have clinical stable cystic fibrosis
• Have a weak immune system
• Have cerebrovascular disease
• Have a condition affecting your brain or nerves (such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy)
• Have a problem with your spleen or have had your spleen removed.
• Have obesity
• Are residents of nursing homes and other long stay settings
• Are in specialist disability care and are over 50 years of age or have an underlying health problem

If you are at high risk, you need to take extra care to follow the advise to protect yourself from coronavirus. This includes:

• Staying at home as much as possible
• Social distancing
• Limiting your social interactions to a very small network for short periods of time
• Washing your hands regularly and properly
• You do not need to self-isolate unless you are showing symptoms of coronavirus
• You should work from home where possible.

A lot of people in at-risk groups need to visit medical professionals more often than the general public. However, as people are advised against going into public spaces as much as possible, this makes things difficult. But there are still options.

You can:

• Ring your GP and have a consultation over the phone or via webcam
• Continue to receive planned treatments, unless you have been told not to
• Some appointments and day cases have been postponed – check with the HSE  or the hospital directly to see if you’re affected
• In an emergency, you should still contact 112 or 999 for help

If you need to go to a hospital for any reason, let them know before your appointment if you’ve been in contact with someone who has Covid-19.

As a laya healthcare member, you can also:

• Meet face-to-face with a doctor online via GPlive
• Talk to a doctor 24/7 when you phone GPline
• Call a nurse anytime with Nurseline
• You can also get advice on clinical issues from a nurse at Laya Healthcare Concierge
• Order prescriptions online and get them delivered to your pharmacy for processing or your home address with CareOnCall prescription service
• Consult with a physiotherapist on Physioline

Community support is available for vulnerable people including those who are in at-risk groups. The support includes help with collecting groceries, medicines and other essential items.

COVID-19 Vaccine 

If you are 16 or older, you can still register if you haven't already had a COVID-19 vaccine.

Parents or guardians of 5 to 15 year olds can register for their children.

Do not attend your vaccination appointment if you are suffering symptoms of Covid-19.

Things you need to register online

Enter your name as it appears on your passport so your COVID certificate matches your travel documents. If you are registering your child, enter their name.

To register online you need a:

• mobile phone number - if you are registering a child, use your number
• email address – if you are registering a child, use your email
• PPS number – if you are registering a child, use their PPS number
• Eircode – if you are registering a child, use their Eircode

If you cannot register online, call the COVID-19 helpline 1800 700 700 to register by phone instead.

To find out how you can book your appointment go to https://vaccine.hse.ie/

As Covid-19 is still such a new virus, no one knows for sure if pregnancy makes someone more at risk. However, as other lung viruses can cause severe illness in pregnant women, it’s important to take extra care.  The information so far shows that pregnant women do not have a higher risk of serious illness if you catch coronavirus while pregnant.

That includes paying special attention to social distancing, handwashing and keeping your home and work environment clean. Doing all of those things correctly can reduce your risk of contracting Covid-19 when you’re pregnant.

We are still learning about coronavirus (COVID-19). We don't fully know how it affects pregnant women and their babies. The information we have so far shows that pregnant women are not at-risk. This means that if you are healthy, you do not have a higher risk of serious illness if you catch coronavirus while pregnant.

This does not mean that pregnant women are protected against coronavirus. To protect yourself and your baby, you should carefully follow the advice around:

• proper hand washing
• respiratory hygiene
• social distancing
• Add in Wearing a mask when in public places, shops, public transport etc. see HSE link below detailing important steps in protecting yourself and others https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/protect-yourself-and-others.html

Phone your GP for advice if you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus.

Please follow the link below to get the most up to date advise with regards Coronavirus and pregnancy https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus-and-pregnancy.html

Yes, if you get Covid-19 as a smoker, it is likely your infection will be more severe than a non-smoker. 

Smoking negatively impacts the immune system in the airways, lungs and elsewhere in the body. That means smokers have fewer natural protections against viruses like Covid-19. 

Typically, smokers have a higher chance of getting infections, those infections last longer, and it can be more severe. Second-hand smoke results in the same effects. So, if a child is exposed to smoke, they are also more at risk. 

Want to quit smoking? It’s not too late – quitting now may help reduce your risk of severe infections and boost your overall wellbeing. As a laya healthcare member, you can apply online for help to quit.

We know that being in an at-risk group for Covid-19 can be scary. Some people may suffer from increased anxiety, stress and worry as a result. Social distancing and isolation can make this even harder.

But we’re here to look after you always, when it comes to both your physical and mental wellbeing. You can talk to a qualified counselor any time of the day or night, at no additional cost, with our 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme.

You can also find practical tips in the HSE mental wellbeing during Covid-19 guide. If you want to clarify a clinical question, you can contact the Nurseline or GPline.

We will continue to keep you informed on Covid-19 and give you the guidelines you should follow as an at-risk person.

The information we share with you is based on the latest advice from the HSE. If you want to know more, you can find in-depth information on the HSE At-Risk Groups page.

Every single person plays a role in combating Covid-19.

If you or your loved one is in an at-risk group, it’s vital that you take every precaution, by breaking the chain of transmission of this virus and following social distancing guidelines.

Everyone, young and old, can protect the most vulnerable to this virus and save lives. This helps protect the entire community, especially the most vulnerable at-risk groups in our society.

It is most important if you or someone in your household develop symptoms to contact your GP and to self-isolate immediately.

Visits from people who provide essential support with your daily needs should continue. These include healthcare professionals, personal support and social care. These people can still visit you if they do not have any symptoms. 

When carers visit, they need to wash their hands when they arrive. They should wash their hands often when they are in your home. They should try to stay 2 metres away from you, if possible and they should wear a mask whilst in your home

If a carer develops symptoms, they will not be able to care for you while they are unwell. 

They must stay away until both the following apply to them:

• 5 days with no fever
• 10 days since their symptoms first appeared

Contact the person who arranged your care to arrange another carer.

ALONE have a dedicated support line for those who have concerns about coronavirus or are facing difficulties. Contact them on 0818 222 024 Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm

The government is working with religious communities to agree the numbers that will be allowed at each venue. Talk to your funeral director or religious leader for more information.

But you should not attend a funeral if you are self-isolating or if you need to restrict your movements.

Mourners will also need to follow social distancing guidelines. This means keeping a distance of 2 metres (6.5 feet) apart.

Even in more normal times, the loss of a loved one can be difficult. It can trigger a dip in your mental health.

There is no right or wrong way to experience loss or to grieve. You may experience a wide range of emotions.

Allow yourself to feel and react in a way that is natural to you. This is part of coming to terms with a loss or bereavement.