As a result of the research, thousands of UK cancer patients had their treatment deferred or delayed. She added that exercise and seeing other people had 'strong mental health benefits and will reduce stress, which also has a powerful effect on the immune system.' The condition affects cells in the immune system, which limits the body's ability to fight infection. Data on specific risk for this group is limited, partly because patients are successfully shielding, so few have actually caught Covid-19. Studies estimate that roughly a fifth of hospitalised Covid-19 patients have COPD, and they are, on average, 17 per cent more likely to die than the average person.

Source: Daily Mail June 06, 2020 21:01 UTC