FIT AND OVER 70? YOU’RE NOT HIGH RISK

AGE is overwhelmingly the biggest risk factor for coronavirus. More than half of the deaths have been in the over-85s, while a further 36 per cent are older than 60, according to Professor Janet Lord, director of the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham.

Older adults have a weaker immune system which makes them more susceptible to viruses, and get sicker if infected, she says: ‘Part of the reason for this is exaggerated inflammation we see in older people, caused by the response of the immune system, and also the aged lung, which is less resilient to damage induced by infections.’

But while the over-70s were initially advised to stay at home, that guidance has now relaxed and, unless they have specific conditions that put them at risk, they are considered no more vulnerable than the rest of the general population.

That’s according to the Government guidance, at least Prof Lord said: ‘Lots of people in the over-70 group are fit and healthy, and their risk is much lower than for someone in their 60s with lots of health problems. You still have to be careful, but as long as you’re fit and healthy and you keep to the two-metre social distancing rule, you’ll be fine.’

She added that exercise and seeing other people had ‘strong mental health benefits and will reduce stress, which also has a powerful effect on the immune system.’