A NEW emergency support service for people at high risk of becoming seriously ill due to coronavirus has been launched.

Cumbria County Council has been working with district councils, Cumbria CVS, Cumbria Community Foundation, community and voluntary sector and other partners to ensure those who do not have any support are not alone.

People who are over 70 years old, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions who should be protecting themselves by staying at home, can access the service if they have no family or friends to help them with food and medicine supplies.

The emergency telephone support line is 0800 783 1966.

Or people can email requests for help to COVID19support@cumbria.gov.uk.

The telephone call-centre will operate Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and at weekends from 10am to 2pm.

The service will also accept referrals from members of the public who may be concerned about other people.

County councillor Deborah Earl, cabinet member for public health and communities, said: “People who are self-isolating must not go out to get food shopping. Many of these people have good support networks who they can rely on for the delivery of food, medicines or essential services, but for those who don’t we are launching the new emergency support helpline.

“We want to reassure the public that we are ready to provide support to our most vulnerable residents who may not have friends or family available to help them.”