Visitors to elderly ‘should be prioritised for regular tests’

THOSE who visit the elderly should be prioritised for regular tests to build a “chain of trust” that protects those most at risk, a paper to Sage says.

Health officials are working on a strategy of “segmentation”, under which those most at risk from Covid-19 are advised to act with particular caution, in a bid to avoid full lockdowns.

It had been suggested that this could mean all over-50s were told to stay home, but officials are working on a less prescriptive approach, which advises each individual on their risks.

The briefing by Edinburgh University suggests that in the event of outbreaks, testing should be offered to those who care for the vulnerable, to break the chain of transmission.

This could mean those caring for elderly parents or partners, as well as health and care workers. The paper says age remains the most important risk factor for Covid-19, with 20 per cent of the population classed as “high risk” on age grounds alone.

The briefing, dated Aug 4, has been shared with Sage (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), as health officials consider how best to respond to the Covid threat as winter approaches.

It suggests that strategies to shield the most vulnerable must also protect those they come into contact with – in a concept they call “the chain of trust”. And it suggests that for every vulnerable person identified, one extra person would require extra protection – such as regular tests – to reduce the risk of transmission.

These people – described as “shielders” because of their role protecting others – should also be required to take particular care to avoid infection, the paper states.