Dr Hillary Jones encourages visits to elderly relatives if people don’t have coronavirus symptoms


Dr Hilary Jones urges people with no coronavirus symptoms to continue visiting their elderly relatives – as over- 70s face being ordered to stay at home for four months

  • The GP suggested that families should continue to visit their loved ones
  • However, he reiterated the importance of self-isolating if symptoms appear
  • Dr Hilary claimed 90 per cent will get through the virus without hospitalisation 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Dr Hilary Jones has encouraged people to visit their elderly relatives if they are not showing any symptoms of the Coronavirus.

The GP made the statement when he appeared on Lorraine to answer questions sent in by concerned viewers.

Sitting across from Lorraine, who admitted that she was worried about her dad who is in the high risk category, Dr Hilary explained that people should continue as normal if they are not unwell, just as he has been doing.

‘Yes, if you haven’t got any symptoms, do what I’m doing with my elderly mother. 

‘If I haven’t got symptoms, of course I will go and see her. She loves to see her kids. She’s got four sons and we all visit her. 

Dr Hilary Jones has insisted that people should continue to visit their elderly relatives if they don’t have any of the Coronavirus symptoms

‘We’re all telling each other when we’re going, so she’s not alone for too long. She likes to see faces and we can take things to her.’

However, he reiterated the importance of self isolating if people started to show symptoms.  

‘I think everyone with an elderly relative, you want to see them, why shouldn’t you go and see them?

‘But don’t go if you’ve got any symptoms, whatever those symptoms are, if there’s any chance you think you’ve got the coronavirus then just stay away.

The GP appeared on Lorraine to answer questions about the Coronavirus

The GP appeared on Lorraine to answer questions about the Coronavirus

Dr Hilary reiterated the importance of self-isolating if people started to display any of the symptoms

Dr Hilary reiterated the importance of self-isolating if people started to display any of the symptoms

‘If you don’t go for seven days, you’re going to know if your symptoms are getting worse within those seven days. 

‘And if you’re fine after those seven days and it has just been a cold, which is the likely thing, you’ll be fine to visit after that.’

Addressing the anxiety surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, Dr Hilary took time to reassure viewers that it ‘won’t last forever’.

‘If you pick out the worst case scenarios it’s very anxious making. But if you look at the positives, there are plenty of positives,’ he added.

Lorraine admitted her own fears about her parents who live in Scotland during the discussion with Dr Hilary

Lorraine admitted her own fears about her parents who live in Scotland during the discussion with Dr Hilary

The doctor claimed that 90% of people who might contract Coronavirus will get through it with 'mild symptoms'

The doctor claimed that 90% of people who might contract Coronavirus will get through it with ‘mild symptoms’

’90 per cent of people are going to get through this even if they catch the virus. Only a minority will need to be hospitalized. 

‘Of course it’s going to be a challenge. There is no health service in the world that is fully equipped to deal with this. 

‘It’s going to be very serious. For most people they’ll get through it with mild symptoms and they’ll come out the other side.’ 

During the segment, Dr Hilary also shared tips with viewers about how to talk to children about the coronavirus pandemic.

‘I think children need to know that we’re dealing with a nasty infection that everyone is susceptible to.

‘On the whole we can reassure them that children are much stronger, they’re much resilient against this virus, for reasons we don’t fully understand, but it’s true. 

‘Children aren’t threatened but older people are, so children don’t need to be afraid.’