Coronavirus update from the Welsh Government

 

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• Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government, dated yesterday (Friday), is: 
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• People told to self-isolate for up to 14 days will be eligible for financial support from the Welsh Government as two new schemes are unveiled today [Friday October 30].
• People on low incomes can apply to receive a £500 payment if they have tested positive for coronavirus or they are asked to self-isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service because they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.
• And a new top-up payment is being introduced for the social care workforce in Wales, to increase statutory sick pay to their normal wages if they have to take time off because they have coronavirus or are self-isolating.
• Up to £32m is being made available by the Welsh Government for the two schemes to support people and remove the financial barriers faced by people needing to self-isolate.
• https://gov.wales/two-schemes-help-people-self-isolate-be-introduced-wales
• Watch First Minister Mark Drakeford’s press conference: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1322150445725310977
• More than 5,500 businesses have applied for £100m in business development grants
• The £100m business grants element of Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) has been fully subscribed with more than 5,500 businesses applying for support.
• Businesses are still able to benefit from the £200m available from the third phase of the fund.
• https://gov.wales/more-5500-businesses-apply-100-million-business-development-grants
• Apply for business support: https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/lockdown-business-fund

 

• The coronavirus firebreak FAQs have been updated with a section about arrangements for Remembrance events: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-firebreak-frequently-asked-questions

 

Firebreak information

• A firebreak to break the cycle of infections and bring coronavirus under control began on Friday October 23 and ends on Monday November 9

• Frequently asked questions https://gov.wales/coronavirus-firebreak-frequently-asked-questions
• Overview of the rules to follow (multiple languages) https://gov.wales/coronavirus-firebreak-guidance-summary
• Closure of businesses summary: https://gov.wales/closure-businesses-and-premises-coronavirus-covid-19
• Taxi and private hire vehicles guidance: https://gov.wales/taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-guidance
• Further education and apprenticeships: https://gov.wales/further-education-and-apprenticeships-coronavirus-firebreak-guidance
• Childcare and play guidance: https://gov.wales/childcare-and-play-coronavirus-firebreak-guidance
• Exams and assessments: https://gov.wales/examinations-and-assessments-coronavirus
• Schools guidance: https://gov.wales/schools-coronavirus-firebreak-guidance
• Support for businesses: https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/covid-19-support-business

 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 1,737 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 49,571 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Sadly, another 11 deaths were reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 1,859.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary 
• Public Health Wales has added a map to its surveillance dashboard showing the number of Covid-19 cases in small local areas. The map shows cases on a rolling seven-day or 21-day basis, or all cases since the start of the pandemic. It shows the number of cases and the rate per 100,000 people: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

Where to find the latest information

• A firebreak to break the cycle of infections and bring coronavirus under control began on Friday October 23 and ends on Monday November 9. More information: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-firebreak-frequently-asked-questions 

• Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://covid19-phwstatement.nhs.wales/
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
• If you can help the effort to produce PPE in Wales please visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/news/provision-critical-equipment-and-personal-protection-equipment-ppe
• The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL translator. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

o   First Minister Mark Drakeford held today’s briefing. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1322150445725310977