Clinically extremely vulnerable people have been advised that they should shield again during the national lockdown as Covid-19 infection rates across the region remain high.

National guidance state people in the group should stay at home as much as possible, only leave the house for exercise and health appointments, avoid busy areas and keep all contact with others outside of their household to a minimum.

Extremely vulnerable people can continue to meet members of their support bubble and receive care at home from social care and medical professionals. Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:

"Unfortunately, we continue to see alarmingly high figures of positive Covid-19 tests here in Dudley borough and we know the real figure of new infections could be much higher than the test rates reveal.

"It is incredibly hard to ask residents to shield and we recognise all too well the strain this can take on individuals, but I must ask anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable to protect themselves by staying at home as much as possible.

"We should all be avoiding contact with anyone outside our household or bubble wherever possible and I would also ask that those who are less vulnerable continue to act with care and follow the lockdown restrictions.

"By working together as a community, we can help to slow the spread of the virus, save lives and protect the people we love.”

Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable are strongly advised to work from home, and if they cannot, they should not go into the workplace. The Government has written to all individuals who are deemed to be clinically extremely vulnerable and they can use this letter as evidence to not attend work, or get a shielding note at nhs.uk.

People who are shielding are advised not to go to the shops or pharmacies, and instead should use delivery services if they can, or ask others to collect and drop off shopping for them, such as friends and family, local volunteers or by contacting NHS Volunteer Responders on 0808 186 3646.

People can register via gov.uk to request priority access to supermarket delivery slots if required.