Coronavirus update from the Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) is:

• The Welsh Government announced an additional £40m for universities to support students facing financial hardship, helping the students most affected by the pandemic with expenses such as accommodation costs.
• Universities will be asked to prioritise funding towards the most vulnerable students, as well as strengthening advice and support services for students.
• With most students currently being asked to study at home, the funding will also be used to address ‘digital poverty’ among students, to enable better access to online learning, and costs incurred due to the need to self-isolate. 
• The funding is in addition to over £40 million the Welsh Government has already provided to help universities this financial year, which has included £10m towards student hardship, mental health support and student unions.
• https://gov.wales/40-million-extra-support-students-facing-financial-hardship
• Watch Education Minister Kirsty Williams’ press conference: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1351141108169003015 

• Deputy Minister for Health and Social Care Julie Morgan has published a written statement about the continued operation of childcare and play provision in Wales: https://gov.wales/written-statement-continued-operation-childcare-and-play-provision-wales
• Technical Advisory Group report: SARS-CoV-2 infection risks at indoor exercise facilities https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-sars-cov-2-infection-risks-indoor-exercise-facilities
• Coronavirus vaccination centres (information correct as of January 15) https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-centres
• Coronavirus vaccination centres map: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-centres-map
• Updated: Financial support to help pay your rent, mortgage or bills if you are currently working, self-employed, ill and cannot work, been made redundant or on furlough https://gov.wales/get-financial-help-pay-your-bills-during-coronavirus-pandemic

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 1,332 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 181,493 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Very sadly, there were 20 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 4,294.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is being published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 151,737 people have received their first dose
• And 201 people have receive two doses of the vaccine
• https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

 

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

• The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus once you are self-isolating. You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test
• You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.
• Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
   

Where to find the latest information

• Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4

• 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
• Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/
• Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
• The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

o   Education Minister Kirsty Williams held today’s Welsh Government briefing. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1351141108169003015