Advice for older people amid coronavirus threat

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: "The official advice at the moment shows that if people are feeling well, showing no signs of symptoms, and have no reason to think they have been in contact with the virus, then they can carry on with their usual activities. But it's important for everyone to be completely vigilant about following the government's advice on thorough hand washing, catching coughs and sneezes, and disposing of tissues.

"Some older people, or those with underlying health conditions, have already or may decide to reduce their social contact. We should respect people's decisions and think about practical ways to support them, like picking up some shopping or help by running some errands. If it's safe to do so you can pop in, but you can also stay in touch over the phone, online or by post. It's also worth thinking about sensible steps that may need to be taken if the situation progresses.

"As this is an evolving situation and the advice may well change, it's important to keep up to date with reliable sources of information such as the NHS website or NHS111."