A specialist Council team will this week start contacting more than 4,000 ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ (CEV) residents across the District.

The aim is to ensure their needs are being met during lockdown. This could include a priority online supermarket delivery, befriending support or help in accessing mental health or welfare services.

People are classed as CEV if they are at very high risk of severe illness from Covid-19 due primarily due to underlying health conditions which force them to take extra precautions.

Vulnerable people are encouraged to stay at home except for exercise and only work if they can do so safely from home.

The Council team is contacting 4132 vulnerable residents. They will begin by sending emails and text messages, asking them to confirm if they are happy or require support.

For those without email or mobiles, there will be ‘phone calls until contact is established. Clearly identifiable officers will knock on people’s doors to check on them if they do not respond to other forms of contact.

Any residents needing help will then be given the appropriate support.

Cllr Suzi Coul, Cabinet Member for Community and Public Health, said: “We are committed to being here for our residents throughout the pandemic and we will contact everyone on the list supplied to us by the Government.

“We know many will be struggling in this second lockdown, both in terms of feeling isolated and the stress of having to access services and vital supplies, but we can help whenever needed.”  

Councillor Coul added: “Of course, people should continue to be extremely vigilant about fraudsters contacting them, asking for money, or posing as a council or NHS workers so we want to get the word out that we are doing this and that our staff will clearly identify themselves. 

“Anyone receiving an email or text should respond if possible so we know we do not need to continue to try to contact them.”