Saturday coronavirus update

* The Co-op in Regent Street has trays near the tills offering free DVDs and CDs to customers to help beat the coronavirus boredom. 

Cat Meade, co-ordinator of the new Llangollen Coronavirus Group page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2605345223029039/ has given a comprehensive round-up of what its volunteers are doing to help vulnerable local people during the outbreak.

She says: “Positive calls from Llangollen Police, DCC Volunteer Services and support networks, all beside us.

“Prescription requests coming in at pace, Rotary are doing a daily pick up if you can get your request to us by 11am, others will be by our selected volunteers or next day.

“Wayne and team Dee Valley Produce have been inundated with delivery requests, they have teamed up with Gwyn the butchers 01978 860075 and Porters 01978 862990 (cheese, rice, lentils, gluten free pasta) please call each shop, pay direct and advise you have ordered with Dee Valley so they can collate delivery.

“On this note and due to increasing demand we are asking any volunteers (preferably with a van, large car) to contact Wayne/Sam to assist with deliveries to keep this service in play.

“Newspapers, this will start from Monday, please place your requests with Verity Maybury via message or 07500 103945, deadline for Monday is 5pm tomorrow (Saturday) 21.03. You can also add a magazine, choc bar. A group of 16-year-old Ysgol Dinas Bran students have kindly volunteered to deliver.

“Bluebay Laundrette is open 9am -1pm, further opening hours to follow, again please use the service to keep it going.

“The Three Eagles have generously offered a FREE meal to anyone over 70 delivered to your door, please call 01978 869595 12-5pm tomorrow 21.03, delivery 3-6pm.

“Kellys chippy, free delivery 7 days a week 4.30pm - 8.30pm cash on delivery, call 07514 284790/ 07903 325220.

“Deeside Kebabs and Llangollen Kebab are delivering as normal.

“Jane Louise Tornado has been working extensive hours fundraising, applying for grants, help with the Foodshare, care packages and lots more planning for the future weeks ahead, if anyone can assist please contact Jane.

“With the announcement of pub and restaurant closures we will keep you updated on deliveries and aim to assist as many local businesses going forward.

“Cath Miller from Cambrian Hotel has kindly offered her kitchen to volunteers to batch cook for those in need, as of next week we are asking for donations to assist with this (if we don’t have funding) more to follow on this.

“As always a great community effort, getting us through another 24 hrs. Keep the safe distancing in play, and feel free to get in touch with any updates #llangollenfamily.”

Starting from today the Coop in Regent Street will have a "Show we care" hour for vulnerable customers. 

It says on Facebook: We will be prioritising our vulnerable customers and those who care for them during the hours of 8:00am and 9:00am from this Saturday and Sunday’s priority hour will be 10:00am till 11:00am."

Yesterday (Friday) Llangollen Health Centre sent out a messages to patients and customers on its new Facebook page, South Wrexham Cluster of GP Practices. https://www.facebook.com/South-Wrexham-Cluster-of-GP-Practices-100434138268393/

It says: “Age Cymru is to offer a check-in-and-chat telephone service for the over 70s in Wales who live alone from Monday 23 March 2020.

“It is hoped that the initiative will help provide some reassurances to older people, answer basic queries and link people to local services and support during the Coronavirus outbreak.

“At the beginning of this week we were all advised self-isolate as far possible to help protect us from the virus. This is particularly important for people over 70 and those with underlying health conditions because they are at higher risk of developing more severe symptoms if they become infected. In the coming days those at greatest risk will be asked to self-isolate for 12 weeks.

“Age Cymru’s chief executive Victoria Lloyd says: “These are potentially difficult times for many older people, especially those living alone who may not have anyone to share their concerns. Others may just want to have a chat about what they saw on television last night. Hopefully, this initiative will help older people cope with some of the challenges arising from the Coronavirus outbreak.”

“Anyone over 70 in Wales can register with Age Cymru, free of charge, to receive a regular telephone call from the charity in either English or Welsh. All you have to do call the Age Cymru Advice Number on 08000 223 444 or email enquiries@agecymru.org.uk.

In another message the centre said: “Slight change to prescription collection arrangements. We have set up a better temporary reception so you can now collect your prescriptions from us unless you have previously informed us that you would like us to send them to the chemist.”

Simon and the team at the Rowlands Pharmacy next to the health centres posted yesterday on Facebook: "My Dear Patients and Customers,

"I am writing this message to tell you how much we as the pharmacy team appreciate your patience and cooperation during this super challenging time. We are working flat out to make sure all the prescriptions are ready for you. We are filling staff shortages and keeping close eye on any supply problems. I am aware of temporary problem with supply of paracetamol, hand sanitisers and thermometers.

"This message is really not so much about the medication and service as such. It is more to tell you how absolutely amazed I am to see all my patients waiting patiently and not complaining about our current longer then normal waiting time. I know it must be horrible for you to wait outside the pharmacy for hours. I am absolutely proud of people offering free of charge delivering service for patients in self-isolation. You are all a wonderful example of compassion and solidarity and I am very proud to be a part of it. "

New drive through testing units have been established at three locations across North Wales to support the response to tackling Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19).

At this stage, the testing units will only be providing priority testing for identified NHS workers involved in the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

This will reduce the risk of NHS staff infecting other patients, or having to take time off work to self-isolate if they developed symptoms, without confirmation of whether they have the virus or not.

The testing units, which have been established following advice from Public Health Wales and the Welsh Government.

One is located on the grounds of Wrexham Maelor Hospital. This will begin testing on Monday.

Testing units had been established to provide priority testing during the official containment phase of the outbreak, but were stood down as the UK moved into the delay phase.

The new units are not operating a walk in service and will not provide testing to NHS staff without an appointment.

Teresa Owen, Executive Director of Public Health at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “The Testing Units will provide testing for NHS staff who have a crucial role to play in tackling the Covid-19 outbreak.

“They are not offering a walk in service, and we ask the public not to visit the units, as they will not be tested, but may cause delays for NHS staff. I would like to provide reassurance that there is no additional risk to people living in the immediate vicinity of these units.

“We urge people to continue to follow the latest advice from Public Health Wales. People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). People with a fever or persistent cough should stay at home for seven days if they live alone, or 14 days if they live with others.

“Anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should self-isolate and stay at home for 14 days. They should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. 

“They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.”

Following on from its live streaming on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=llangollen%20group%20of%20anglican%20churches&epa=SEARCH_BOX of vicar Father Lee Taylor singing the Angelus Prayer and the ringing of the Angelus Bell yesterday afternoon St Collen’s will also be streaming its Sunday Mass at 11am tomorrow.  

The order of service can be downloaded from its website: www.stcollenschurch.org.uk

Father Lee said yesterday on Facebook: “Please message during the live feed any prayer requests, names of those who are sick or departed you would like prayed for.”

Arriva Buses Wales https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/important-service-information---wales/ in its latest message about emergency services give details for the local number 5 route:

5	Wrexham - Llangollen	Monday to Friday	0700	2030	40
		Saturday	0700	2030	40
		Sunday	NORMAL SUNDAY SERVICE