Chamber Patrons
Research links frailty to Covid-19 mortality rate
Severely frail individuals suffering from Covid-19 are three times more likely to die from the virus than those who are not frail, according to new research led by the University of Birmingham. The clinical observational study,
involving 5,711 patients with Covid-19 at 55 hospitals across 12 countries, also found that those with severe frailty who survived the virus were seven times more likely to go on to need increased care at home or in care homes. The Geriatric Medicine Research
Collaborative (GeMRC) – the group of experts behind the study - are now calling for improved global public health policy after their research showed that frailty, independently of older age, increases the risk of death from Covid-19. Senior author Dr Carly Welch,
clinical research fellow in geriatric medicine at the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, and chair and co-founder of GeMRC, said: “It was identified very early
in the pandemic that older age was a significant risk factor for a higher chance of death with Covid-19. “However, not all older people
are the same, we all age differently - some people can live well into their 90s without developing frailty, and it can develop even without the presence of other long-term conditions. “Our findings are important as
we have been able to demonstrate that not only older age but also frailty, independently from one another, increase the risk of death from Covid-19 and also a subsequent increased need in care for survivors.” Dr Daisy Wilson,
clinical research fellow at the University of Birmingham, added: “We now have evidence
to show that those most at risk from Covid-19 are those who are older, or living with frailty, or have underlying health conditions.”
Dr Carly Welch: Startling new research reveals need for improved policy
GeMRC hopes the research
findings will influence public health policy, including advice on shielding.
Fight against digital poverty
Millennium Point is joining the fight against digital poverty by acting as a drop-off point for refurbished laptops, which are being collected for schoolchildren via a new campaign. The Millennium Point Charitable Trust has joined the Connect_In campaign to help hundreds of families who have fallen victim to ‘digital poverty’. Launched by The Child
Poverty Action Forum, the Connect_In campaign aims to ensure the most disadvantaged families are receiving the help that they need with homeschooling during the pandemic, in the form of laptops and a stable internet connection. Abbie Vlahakis, chief
executive of Millennium Point, said: “Education and STEM are in the trust’s DNA, so it was clear to us that we had to get involved with the Connect_In campaign. It’s essential that every child has access to education and digital provision during the pandemic.” Donated laptops can be
dropped off at Millennium Point reception on Level 0.
March 2021 CHAMBERLINK 31
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