UPDATED! Coronavirus: Updates, useful resources and advice

[Updated on 5th Nov, 2020}
Hello Everyone,
In light of the second national lockdown in England, the government has published its latest guidelines on shielding and protecting the 'extremely clinically vulnerable'.
This guidance is for everyone in England who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable. If you are in this group, you will previously have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP telling you this.
This guidance applies to clinically extremely vulnerable individuals only. Others living in a household with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable are not advised to follow this guidance. They should instead continue to attend work and school in accordance with the general advice and regulations set out in the national restrictions guidance from 5 November.
Fur further official guidance, please visit:
Stay safe and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let us know and we'll do our best to assist you further.
Best,
Blanka & Team LBW
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If you are worried, have further questions or would like to talk to someone qualified, you can ask our friendly healthcare professionals at: https://community.livebetterwith.com/cancer/categories/ask-the-experts
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The recommendations will help you navigate all the expert advice, useful product and services, and helpful articles that can help you self-manage your symptoms and side effects.
WATCH OUR EXPERT WEBINAR ON CANCER & THE CORONAVIRUS
In March, we held an expert webinar with @LizzyB73, our oncology nurse and Karin Sieger emotional wellbeing advisor on cancer and the coronavirus.
We answered your questions live and covered topics like self-isolation, being at risk, treatment plans and mental health. You can now watch the full video here:
GENERAL ADVICE & INFORMATION
About the Coronavirus
- NHS - Coronavirus Overview: symptoms & what to do if you think you might have the coronavirus
- WHO - Coronavirus Online Training: this is a useful video about what you need to know
- NHS - Common Questions (including advice for you and your family, prevention, self-isolation and treatment)
Prevention
- NHS - Coronavirus Overview: symptoms & what to do if you think you might have the coronavirus
- WHO: How to protect yourself [video]
- Travel advice: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Latest updates
- Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK [updated continuously]:
- WHO: Coronavirus situation dashboard [updated continuously]
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) action plan: What the health and social care system across the UK has done to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and what it plans to do next.
CANCER & CORONAVIRUS
Some people with cancer fall into the category of 'extremely clinically vulnerable'. Adults with the following conditions are automatically deemed clinically extremely vulnerable:
- 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 6 months or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
- those with specific cancers:
There are 2 ways you may be identified as clinically extremely vulnerable:
- 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.
If you think there are good clinical reasons why you should be added to the Shielded Patient List, discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician.
Information & Advice
- Full guidance on staying at home and away from others: updated on 1st May
- Guidance on shielding and protecting people who fall into the category of 'extremely vulnerable': This is a government guideline updated on 5th Nov discussing carers, visitors, hygiene, mental health and many more.
- Advice on Coronavirus for people with cancer: This is a set of frequently asked questions that has been developed by the One Cancer Voice group of charities
- Coronavirus: what cancer patients need to know: Advice for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers on who’s most at risk and what you can do to stay healthy
- Coronavirus fear – How to cope practically and emotionally: written by Emotional Wellbeing Advisor Karin Sieger
- Pancreatic cancer: https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/our-blog/2020/march/advice-on-coronavirus-for-people-with-cancer
- Bowel cancer: https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/news-and-blogs/coronavirus-faqs/
- Breast cancer: https://www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk/news/update-about-coronavirus-covid-19
- Prostate cancer: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/coronavirus-covid-19-and-prostate-cancer
- Lung cancer: https://www.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org/lung-cancer-groups-issue-statement-on-coronavirus
- Blood cancer: https://bloodwise.org.uk/blog/coronavirus-and-blood-cancer
- Ovarian cancer: https://ovarian.org.uk/news-and-blog/news/q-coronavirus-and-ovarian-cancer/
- Mesothelioma cancer: https://www.asbestos.com/blog/2020/03/06/mesothelioma-coronavirus-information/
Comments
This is a set of Frequently Asked Questions, put together by One Cancer Voice group of charities (published on 11th March 2020):
Questions include:
Hi @Blanka_C
What a comprehensive round-up. Thank you!
Karin
Thanks for posting this Blanka, I know there has been some concern about this and the increased risk to cancer patients.
This is very useful,
Lou x
@Blanka_C
Hi Blanka
Many thanks for posting this comprehensive information. It is also very reassuring to know that Karin @KarinSieger and @LizzyB73 are available to provide their support and expertise.
We have just two confirmed cases in our little Island of Jersey, but the supermarket shelves have already been stripped of hand sanitisers, loo rolls and pasta. Will just have to eat out. 😉
I thought that I wasn’t too worried about it, but this morning, I bumped into a friend who has recently got back from skiing in the Alps. When he told me that, I started inching away without trying to be too obvious. Not sure why? Haha, maybe it’s because I am an elderly male with an underlying condition. 🤭
Anyway, with all of the information we have now, we can take sensible steps to protect ourselves. Keep safe 🆗
Rob x
@Annamariacoulson
Hi Annamaria,
I tagged you onto this page as you might find some of the information here helpful, I would think information will be updated on the relevant pages as and when new information becomes available.
Lou x
@Blanka_C @Sunshinedaff @RobertA
Dear all,
I wanted to share with you the news that on Sunday 22 March 2020 at 1500 (UK time) I shall be giving an online talk to help prepare for and cope with the emotional impact of the coronavirus pandemic - eg anxiety, isolation, anger, stress, depression etc.
You can find out more and book you space via my website here:
Please feel free to share here and elsewhere on other online platforms.
Warmest.
Karin
@KarinSieger @Blanka_C @Sunshinedaff
Hi Karin
That is really good news. Many thanks.
So far, there have only been two confirmed cases in our little Island but at 74 and still on hormone treatments I am in the group who have been advised to self isolate though I am hoping to still enjoy walks along the quiet lanes and beaches.
I am due to join a little group for dinner with friends who are visiting from Kent. I guess I shouldn’t go.
I am looking forward to the online talk next Sunday.
Rob x
@Greyson
Hi Kay,
You may find the information helpful as well as the information Liz has.
Lou x
Hi Everyone,
I came across the following chart online and thought it's very useful.
It's from the government's Guide on social distancing for everyone in the UK.
We've put together the following summary of the latest government update on staying home:
If you have any question or concerns, our friendly Experts are here to help! x
@Sharyn
Hi Sharyn,
This is the page where we are putting information regarding COVID19, the information is updated regularly.
Take care,
Lou x
@george12
Hi George,
This may be useful information for you. A lot of these pages are often updated with the most recent govt guidelines regarding COVID19.
Take care,
Lou
Hi All,
We're organising a FREE Expert Webinar (LIVE) with Oncology Specialist Nurse @LizzyB73 and Emotional Wellbeing Advisor @KarinSieger on cancer and the coronavirus.
You'll have the opportunity to listen in, ask and get answers to your questions live (don't worry, you will not be required to use your camera or mic, you will be able to ask questions by simply using the chat function).👋
When: 6pm - 7pm BST, Monday 30th March
Topics covered include: staying safe, self-isolation, mental health
How to join: No need to register, simply click on the following link at 6pm on the day: https://zoom.us/j/499732439
We'll record the webinar and upload it on our site, so you'll be able to re-watch it anytime.❤️
@Janet827
Hi Janet,
This is the page where you may find some helpful information.
At the top of the page Blanka has put the latest information available.
Lou x
Hi just catching up with the advice you have posted, I think it is important that you clearly state that the advice shown is not for the UK but is only for England. The other 3 nations are at different stages in suppressing this virus. I realise it is difficult to put down what is happening in all 4 countries but even if you clearly identify the country you refer to, this will be helpful.
@Daisy
Hi Daisy
Lovely to hear from you. I think that the original post by Community Admin does specifically identify the shielding scheme in England and also refers to the NHS in England.
I live in Jersey and our rules are different too but I still find the advice useful and helpful. We also have members who live in other countries and it is interesting to see how each one has approached the issue.
Rob x