Covid-19 At Risk Groups

Covid-19 can make anyone seriously ill, but for some people, the risk is higher.

The HSE has identified At Risk Groups as follows:

Very High Risk Groups (extremely vulnerable)

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

are over 70 years of age - even if you're fit and well
have had an organ transplant
are undergoing active chemotherapy for cancer
are having radical radiotherapy for lung cancer
have cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
are having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
are having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
severe respiratory conditions including cystic fibrosis, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, lung fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and severe COPD
have a condition that 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 doses of steroids or immunosuppression therapies)
have a serious heart condition and you're pregnant
If you are in a very high risk group, you need to cocoon and therefore you are strongly advised not to volunteer for the Kilkenny Welcome Team until the situation improves.

The list of people in high risk groups includes people who:

are over 60 years of age
have a learning disability
have a lung condition that's not severe (such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis
have heart disease (such as heart failure)
have high blood pressure (hypertension)
have diabetes
have chronic kidney disease
have liver disease (such as hepatitis)
have a medical condition that can affect your breathing
have cancer
have a weak immune system (immunosuppressed)
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 a condition that means you have a high risk of getting infections (such as HIV, lupus or scleroderma)
are taking medicine that can affect your immune system (such as low doses of steroids)
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
This means:
You do not need to self-isolate unless you have symptoms of coronavirus. However, the HSE advises that you stay at home as much as possible and practicing social distancing where possible. Therefore, you are advised not to volunteer for the Kilkenny Welcome Team until the situation improves.