LANCASHIRE’S public health bosses have cautiously welcomed the end of shielding for the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ which will affect thousands of residents across the county.

The government has announced most people in this group can now go out and socialise if they take precautions against catching coronavirus.

The exception is residents with pre-existing problems with their immune system.

There are an estimated 2.2million clinically extremely vulnerable patients in the UK of whom more than 10,000 live in Blackburn with Darwen.

They will receive letters from the government saying they are now advised to stop shielding allowing them to socialise, go shopping and meet friends and family indoors.

The news has been cautiously welcomed by Blackburn with Darwen Council’s public health director Professor Dominic Harrison and his Lancashire County Council counterpart Sakthi Karunanithi.

But they have warned that the group must still take ‘sensible’ precautions against Covid-19 infection.

The clinically extremely vulnerable include organ, bone marrow and stem cell transplant recipients, most cancer patients undergoing treatment and all people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow.

Prof Harrison said: “Given the effectiveness of the vaccinations, the successful rollout of the vaccine programme, and other treatments becoming available (such as antibody therapy) the government believes that the time is now right to end the shielding programme.

“The judgement now is that although risks to clinically extremely vulnerable - even if double jabbed or with a booster jab - are not zero, the health risks to their social, emotional, mental and physical health from continued shielding and exclusion from normal life may well be greater than the continued Covid infection risk.

“I think on balance I accept the government plan on this.

“People previously identified as clinically extremely vulnerable should however make sure they are fully vaccinated and continue to take sensible infection control measures when out and about.

“The one exception is patients who are immuno-suppressed or immuno-compromised. They are advised to consult their specialist.”

Dr Karunanithi said: “The decision to end the shielding programme will be a cause of anxiety for many who are identified as clinically extremely vulnerable

“Everyone should continue to take sensible steps to reduce the chance of catching the virus - such as washing hands regularly, wearing face masks in an enclosed space with others and testing twice-weekly.

“The Department for Health and Social Care has assured us they will continue to monitor the situation and develop an appropriate response if required.”