Over-50s should stay at home during the coronavirus crisis to protect the NHS

Over-50s – especially Britons who are overweight – should stay at home during the coronavirus crisis to protect the NHS, an expert has claimed.

Mike Fischer CBE, who runs a medical research lab in Oxford, warned the actions of those in their 50s and beyond will be 'critical' for the NHS.

Official data - collated by the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre from NHS critical care units - shows more than 54 per cent of COVID-19 patients admitted for urgent care are aged between 50 and 69 years. 

Almost three quarters of critically ill people are either overweight or obese. 

It comes as scientists argue people in their 60s should be included in Government’s total isolation guidance because they are at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness or death.  

They point to data from countries such as China and Italy that show those in their 60s are at high risk of complications and death from the novel coronavirus.
 

This risk is lower compared with those aged 70 years or older, however.

Current Government guidance suggests those aged 70 or older should be more rigorous in following social distancing measures.

The guidance also applies to those under 70 who have underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system.

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