Editor

I don’t know where the writer of ‘Lives blighted by paranoia’ (Cambrian News Letters, 20 August) heard that “only the obese or the elderly are at risk” from Covid-19.

In actual fact, viruses don’t choose any particular age groups to infect. Anyone of any age can be infected by Covid-19 or any other virus. It’s true that people with weakened immune systems (many of them elderly) are in the greatest danger of becoming gravely ill and/or dying from Covid-19. However, it is also true that although the majority of coronavirus sufferers have fortunately recovered, there are people in all age groups who have, sadly, died from Covid-19.

A press report on 25 June stated that nine children in the UK aged under 16 had died from Covid-19, including a 13-day-old baby with no underlying health conditions.

On the following day, 26 June, the BBC reported that researchers led by a team from Great Ormond Street Hospital had studied the cases of 582 children aged from three days up to 18 years who had tested positive for coronavirus in 25 European countries during April 2020. More than half of the children were admitted to hospital and eight per cent of them needed intensive care treatment. Sadly, four of the children died – two of whom had no pre-existing health conditions. None of the four who died were aged under 10.

During this difficult time it’s important that we all do what we can to help one another to stay safe. It’s generally accepted that hand-sanitising and social distancing are some of the most effective ways of keeping the virus at bay. Floor markings in shops and public buildings are helpful, so why not consider something similar to help keep people safe whilst enjoying the seafront?

Anne C Uruska Aberystwyth

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page