Those particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 were told to shield (file photo) Picture: PA THOUSANDS of vulnerable patients in Darlington, County Durham and North Yorkshire were not told to shield until months after lockdown began last year, figures reveal. A group of MPs said the Government's lack of planning created a postcode lottery with areas across England reporting unacceptable variations in the numbers shielding. The Government originally asked those most vulnerable to Covid-19 to isolate in March last year. NHS Digital figures show 15,625 patients in County Durham were on the shielding list by April 12 – the earliest version available. The figures were 2,675 patients in Darlington and 3,165 in North Yorkshire.