Workers that are severely obese have been asked to self isolate amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40 have fallen into the category of vulnerable people who are more likely to become severely ill when contracting Covid-19.
The UK's Coronavirus death toll has risen to 335 after 54 deaths in the past 24 hours.
The number of people that have the bug has also risen to 6,650 as Prime Minster Boris Johnson warns stricter measures could be enforced to increase social distancing after many visited public parks and beaches over the weekend.
Although the government advice says obese people should be more aware of social distancing, some people with a BMI of over 40 have been asked by their employers to go home and self-isolate, Liverpool Echo understands.
The full list of those classed as at increased risk includes people in the following categories:
- Aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
- Under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
- Chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
- Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
- Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease,motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, a learning disability or cerebral palsy
- Diabetes
- Problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
- A weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
- Being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)
- Those who are pregnant
The advice went on to say there were some people who were at an even greater risk of "severe illness" from COVID-19.
People in this category are:
- People who have received an organ transplant and remain on ongoing immunosuppression medication
- People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia who are at any stage of treatment
- People with severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma (requiring hospital admissions or courses of steroid tablets)
- People with severe diseases of body systems, such as severe kidney disease (dialysis)
The government has advice here on how anyone with concerns who may be at risk should socially distance themselves - and how they can manage while in isolation.
