Disabled people 'likely to face harm' from the COVID-19 outbreak

Concerns have been raised that not enough is being done to protect disabled people from COVID-19.

Disabled groups say much of the advice on how to avoid infection, such as self isolating or social distancing, is "impossible to follow" for people with disabilities and their carers.

The joint statement says many care and support providers have been hit hard by 10 years of austerity measures, leaving them concerned about the quality of care that can be delivered as and when care workers go into isolation or become sick.

The groups - including Disability Wales, All Wales People First and Mencap Cymru - say all of these factors mean disabled people are "likely to face harm" not just through coronavirus itself but through the general strain on the health and social care system.

They are calling on both the UK and Welsh Government to offer more support to disabled people and their carers, and to provide "substantial financial support" in order to "recruit additional carers and be able to offer these care workers good wages."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Arrangements are being made across our social care sector to ensure that we maintain the highest levels of care and dignity.”

170 people have now tested positive for coronavirus in Wales, though health officials admit the true figure is likely to be higher.

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know