Shielding guidance in Blackburn with Darwen remains in place in all wards until September 7th

Clinically extremely vulnerable patients in all of Blackburn with Darwen who are currently on the Shielded Patient List are advised to continue to stay at home until September 7^th.

They were sent letters and texts messages by the Government to advise them to that the shielding guidance had been extended for another three weeks.

There has been some confusion around shielding following the introduction of additional measure and the removal of some restrictions in areas across Blackburn and Darwen.

However shielding is still advised in all areas across the borough – whatever ward you are living in.

However, if you live in one of the following eight wards, or have formed a support bubble with anyone in these wards, you should not socialise with anyone from outside your household.

The eight affected wards are:

• Audley & Queen’s Park
• Bastwell & Daisyfield
• Billinge & Beardwood
• Blackburn Central
• Little Harwood & Whitebirk
• Roe Lee
• Shear Brow & Corporation Park
• Wensley Fold

If you live in Darwen and the wards in Blackburn with the additional restrictions were lifted, you must still shield. This shielding advice is set out below:

• you may, if you wish, meet in a group of up to 6 people outdoors, including people from different households, while maintaining strict social distancing (this excludes gardens);
• you no longer need to observe social distancing with other members of your household;
• If you are a single adult household (either an adult living alone or with dependent children under 18), you may from this date, if you wish, also form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household. All those in a support bubble will be able to spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to socially distance.

For further information, log onto www.blackburn.gov.uk

Coronavirus levels in the area continue to remain higher than in the rest of the country and shielding guidance in Blackburn with Darwen will not be relaxed.

Those patients who have been assessed as being clinically extremely vulnerable are strongly advised to continue to shield by staying at home as much as possible and keeping visits outside to a minimum.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of the Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

I want to again thank all our communities who are supporting our efforts to control the virus. The rates are still too high so the Government has announced that further easing measures are being postponed including the advice for people who have been shielding. I know this news will not be welcome for people who have already been shielding for such a long time but these measures are there to protect our most vulnerable and save lives.”

Dr Qashuf Hussain, Deputy Medical Director for Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Groups, said:

Clinically extremely vulnerable people are at high risk of suffering severe illness if they contract Coronavirus.  The guidance is therefore for them to shield.  I would strongly recommend that anyone in this category, that receives a text or a letter, should follow the guidance.”

If you are currently in receipt of medicine deliveries or care through the national shielding service, you will continue to receive this support until the 7 September. Priority supermarket delivery slots provided by seven supermarkets will also continue up until 7 September for those already signed up for support.

If a patient who needs to shield hasn’t received a letter but needs evidence for their employer, they can email splquery@nhs.net

If you need or are currently in receipt of support through Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council this will remain available to support you to remain at home until 7 September, this will continue. If you are concerned that you will need help, you can contact the council by calling 01254 588111 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00) or by visiting https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/helphub