Vulnerable people – coronavirus information

On this page you will find advice and support for vulnerable people in Portsmouth.

If you are in need of additional support please visit the HIVE website or call the HIVE Portsmouth helpline on 023 9400 7124 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday).

If you need medical help, call the NHS on 111. If it is a medical emergency, call 999.   

The Government has updated its advice for:

• those who have signs and symptoms of long COVID
• those who have long COVID and are unable to work
• those who have long COVID and need support to find, return to or stay in work
• those who have a child with long COVID.

GOV.UK: Find help and support if you have long COVID

The Government has published specific guidance for those aged 12 and over whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness if they become infected with coronavirus (COVID-19).

Immunosuppression means you have a weakened immune system due to a particular health condition or because you are on medication or treatment that is suppressing your immune system. People who are immunosuppressed, or have specific other medical conditions, have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases, including COVID-19. Most people in this group will be under the care of a hospital specialist.

You can find guidance for those who are immunosuppressed at the link below, including:

• who the guidance is for
• keeping yourself safe
• eligibility for additional COVID-19 vaccine doses
• eligibility for new NHS COVID-19 treatments if you become infected.

GOV.UK: COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk

If you were previously identified as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) you should continue to follow the same general guidance as everyone else but you may like to consider a few extra precautions to keep yourself safe such as:

• whether you and those you are meeting have been vaccinated
• continuing to practise social distancing if that feels right for you and your friends
• asking friends and family to take a rapid lateral flow test before they visit you
• asking home visitors to wear face coverings
• avoiding crowded spaces.

It is really important that you have both your first and second dose of the coronavirus vaccine if you have not done so already and that other members of your household get vaccinated to lower your chances of catching COVID-19. You should also take up the offer of a booster vaccine if you are eligible to further increase your level of protection. Book or manage a coronavirus vaccine.

If you are pregnant or considering pregnancy and haven’t yet been vaccinated, you are advised to get vaccinated as soon as possible, in order to protect yourself and your baby for any serious consequences from COVID-19. If it has been three months since your second vaccine you are eligible for a booster vaccine. You can find further advice on pregnancy, breastfeeding, fertility and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination on NHS.UK.

If you are more than 27 weeks pregnant, or if you are pregnant and have an underlying health condition that puts you at a greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19 at any point in pregnancy, you may want to consider limiting close contact with people you do not normally meet with regularly in order to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19. You can find further advice on pregnancy and coronavirus (COVID-19) on NHS.UK.

We are following the government’s guidance on infection prevention and control in our care homes. For full information about how we are managing visits and infection control in our care homes, please see Care homes – coronavirus information.

Many carers look after people who are vulnerable, so it’s particularly important to follow the Government’s latest health advice.

The Portsmouth Carers Centre provides support and guidance to carers in Portsmouth. You can get in touch with us by phone on 023 9285 1864 or email carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

• Adult social care helpdesk – 023 9268 0810 (8.30am-5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am-4.30pm Friday – outside of these hours this number will direct you to our out-of-hours service)
• HIVE Portsmouth – 023 9400 7124 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday) – for people who are in need of support, including food, medicine deliveries and welfare checks. If you struggle to get in touch with us due to a communication difficulty or a disability, you can now text us at 07860027785. Please include your name, a brief description of your support need, and whether you would like us to give you a call back or email you. If you prefer an email response, please also provide your email address.
• ChildLine – 0800 1111 (freephone) – If you are 19 or under and have any concerns. No problem is too big or small. You can speak to a counsellor straight away
• Domestic abuse advice and support – 023 9206 5494 (9am-9pm Monday to Friday) – Visit the Stop Domestic Abuse website. If you or someone else is in immediate danger please call the police on 999.
• Out of hours social work – 0300 555 1373 – Supporting professionals and the public outside of normal working hours with any social care issues. If you are hard of hearing or deaf, please call 07465 205 102
• Victim Care Service – 0808 178 1641 – Supporting victims of crime and scams. There is also a live chat service on the Victim Care Service’s website.

For medical advice please call the NHS helpline 111 and for medical emergencies 999.

You can find information about where homeless people can get food on our ‘Getting help and volunteering’ page.

Our advice for residents page has more information about health and wellbeing.

There’s further advice and guidance for clients receiving direct payments or a personal health budget.