Messaging around Covid-19 poses a danger of “medicalisation” of older people who are in good health, a report by the State’s health watchdog has warned. People who are 70 years and up are classified as “extremely medically vulnerable” to the virus but the Health Information and Quality Authority report notes a concern this risk may required “more nuanced communication”. Cocooning is recommended for those categorised as ‘extremely medically vulnerable’ but the report says this has implications for wider society. The watchdog found the most consistent finding in international studies was that those aged 70 years and older are at an increased risk of severe illness from the virus. These groups should be extra vigilant and follow HSE infection prevention guidelines due to the potentially increased risk of experiencing severe illness due to Covid-19.

Source: The Irish Times December 04, 2020 12:35 UTC