A study found that people who were advised to protect themselves during the pandemic's first wave were eight times more likely than others to contract Covid-19, and five times more likely to die from the infection.Researchers found that people with moderate risk of contracting the virus because they have diabetes or other health issues were four times more likely than those who are at low risk to get infected and five times more likely die from it.The University of Glasgow led the study and it was published in Scientific Reports. It also revealed that almost half (49.55%) of deaths in a Scottish health system were caused by people over 70.Comparison of Covid-19 outcomes between shielded and un-shielded populations was done on patients who were advised to self-isolate in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), during March and May 2013.The study examined data from over 1.3 million patients who were registered with GP offices in NHSGGC. Of these, 27,747 had been advised by their doctor to protect them. Another 353,085 were classified as moderate risk due to certain health conditions.Researchers found that people who were advised to protect themselves were eight times more likely than those with low risk status to contract infection, and five times more likely after being confirmed infected.Jill Pell is the director of University of Glasgow's Institute of Health and Wellbeing. She said that shielding should be combined with other population-wide measures like physical distancing and face coverings and hand hygiene in order to protect high-risk individuals.Our study found that shielding was not effective in reducing the burden on health services. High-risk people were also at higher risk of death despite shielding.We believe that shielding criteria should be expanded to include older people in order to make it a viable population strategy.There were 299 (1%) confirmed infections in the shielded group and 140 (0.51%) deaths.Researchers found that 1,859 (0.53%), 803 (0.23%), and 803 (0.23%) deaths were recorded in moderate-risk groups. In low-risk, 1,190 (0.13%), and 84 (0.1%) were confirmed infections.
