Full list of people in Sheffield who will need to stay at home for 12 weeks from Monday

The letter recommends ‘shielding’ those who who are ‘extremely vulnerable’ to contracting Covid-19.

Those being urged to stay at home for three months are:

- Solid organ transplant recipients

- People with specific cancers: people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer;

people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment

people having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer; people having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors; people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.

- People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.

- People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections, such as SCID and homozygous sickle cell.

- People on immunosuppression therapies.

- Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.

The Department of Health said: “Shielding is for your personal protection, it is your choice to decide whether to follow the measures we advise.

“Individuals who have been given a prognosis of less than six months to live, and some others in special circumstances, could decide not to undertake shielding. This will be a deeply personal decision. We advise calling your GP or specialist to discuss this.

“The NHS in England is directly contacting people with these conditions to provide further advice.

“We understand this is an anxious time and people considered extremely vulnerable will understandably have questions and concerns. Plans are being readied to make sure you can rely on a wide range of help and support.”

It added: “You are strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks from the day you receive your letter. Please note that this period of time could change.

“Visits from people who provide essential support to you such as healthcare, personal support with your daily needs or social care should continue, but carers and care workers must stay away if they have any of the symptoms of coronavirus. All people coming to your home should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds on arrival to your house and often whilst they are there.

“You should have an alternative list of people who can help you with your care if your main carer becomes unwell. You can also contact your local council for advice on how to access care.”

Those who share homes with people who are shielding should try to engage in social distancing.