Michael Schumacher is in the vulnerable group of people most at risk from coronavirus, after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a serious skiing accident in 2013. The former racing driver, who is the most successful F1 driver of all time, is currently living at his family home in Gland on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. In order to safeguard Schumacher’s health, his family have put in place a series of measures, such as reducing their contact with other people.

Schumacher is vulnerable to COVID-19 as he has received extensive medical care over an extended period of time meaning his body may struggle to fight off the virus.

Soon after the skiing accident, doctors put the racing driver in an induced coma for six months and he has been largely bed-bound since.

His family have given few updates on his current health, but Schumacher is understood to have started rehabilitation.

The German racing car driver comes into regular contact with a host of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and other employees.

Contact with people outside the home poses a risk of transmission and should he need to go into hospital for care, the risk of contracting the virus increases considerably.

As a result, his general condition is being more closely monitored by the medical team who take care of him at his home in Switzerland.

One expert told German new site Bunte: “For doctors and researchers, patients such as Schumacher, who have received extensive medical care for years and can only participate in public life to a limited extent, belong to the particularly vulnerable group of patients with high risk.

“In this particularly delicate period, the champion’s family therefore acts ‘with great caution’.”

JUST IN: Coronavirus: France extends lockdown and tightens rules as death toll rises

His family are understood to be taking extra precautions to protect Schumacher’s health.

German news site VipFlash report his immediate family are reducing the contact they make with other people.

His wife Corinna, 51, and daughter Gina Maria, 23, could cut back on their almost daily horse rides.

Switzerland has at least 9,117 positive cases of coronavirus, with a death toll of 122, according to the latest figures released on Tuesday March 24.

DON’T MISS:
Lewis Hamilton ranked above Michael Schumacher, F1 aces as ‘best ever’ [INSIGHT]
Michael Schumacher heartbreak: Ex-boss remembers ‘fatherly’ F1 icon [COMMENT]
Michael Schumacher ‘very altered and deteriorated’ after ski accident [OPINION]

The Swiss government has recommended all citizens should stay at home, especially the sick and elderly.

It has announced a nationwide ban on gatherings of more than five people.

An “extraordinary situation” has been declared, resulting in a ban on all private and public events.

The measure also saw bars, restaurants, sports and cultural spaces close, with only businesses providing essential goods allowed to remain open.

All schools have also been forced to close.

The measures are currently in place until April 19, but could be extended.

Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg

Source: Read Full Article