Latest Covid-19 updates from Welsh Government

Latest Covid-19 updates from the Welsh Government, dated yesterday, are:

• Businesses in Wales impacted by the rapid spread of the Omicron virus can now apply for emergency financial support from the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).
• Apply for support: https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
• More information: https://gov.wales/applications-open-emergency-financial-support-economic-resilience-fund 

• Health Minister Eluned Morgan’s update to the Senedd about Covid-19: https://gov.wales/oral-statement-update-covid-19-7
• Childcare and play – frequently asked questions: https://gov.wales/childcare-and-play-frequently-asked-questions
• Coronavirus impact assessments: https://gov.wales/impact-assessments-coronavirus
• Coronavirus testing in schools, further education and childcare settings: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-asymptomatic-testing-school-further-education-and-childcare-settings
• National minimum standards settings for regulated childcare settings: https://gov.wales/childcare-national-minimum-standards-jan-april-covid-19
• National minimum standards and guidance for regulated childcare settings: https://gov.wales/national-minimum-standards-nms-and-guidance-regulated-childcare
• Tenancy Hardship Grant for people in rent arrears: https://gov.wales/tenancy-hardship-grant-private-rented-sector-tenants-coronavirus
• Covid-19 in Wales: https://gov.wales/covid-19-wales
• Attendance of pupils in maintained schools (September to January): https://gov.wales/attendance-pupils-maintained-schools
• Positive coronavirus cases reported in higher education institutions (September to January): https://gov.wales/positive-coronavirus-cases-reported-higher-education-institutions-wales-27-september-2020-onwards
• Coronavirus Infection Survey (headline estimates): https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-infection-survey-headline-estimates
• NHS beds, admissions and hospitalisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: 18 January 2022: https://gov.wales/nhs-beds-admissions-and-hospitalisations-during-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic
• NHS staff absence and isolation rates (17 January): https://gov.wales/nhs-staff-absence-and-self-isolation-rate 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales show there were 2,136 newly-reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 748,708 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Important note: On January 6, testing policy changed in Wales – people who test positive on a lateral flow test no longer have to take a follow-up PCR test to confirm the result. This is likely to reduce the overall number of reported cases by about 10%, based on analyses linking lateral flow tests to PCR positive episodes. See also: https://digitalanddata.blog.gov.wales/2022/01/11/chief-statisticians-update-understanding-covid-19-infection-rates-in-wales/

• There were 23 deaths reported by Public Health Wales. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 6,731.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection/viz/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary   

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 2,502,979 people have received their first dose.

• 2,346,551 people have had two doses of the vaccine.
• To date, 1,792,022 people have had their booster dose of the vaccine.
• https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection/viz/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary
• For more information about getting your Covid-19 vaccine: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination
• Can you support the vaccination programme? More information for NHS staff and volunteers at: https://heiw.nhs.wales/jobs/nhs-wales-covid-19-vaccination-team-returning-healthcare-professionals/

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 up to 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation
• 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. 

Where to find the latest information

• Wales is at alert level two. More information is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-2
• Alert level two: frequently asked questions: https://gov.wales/alert-level-2-frequently-asked-questions
• Our latest Coronavirus Control Plan, setting out the longer-term plan for Wales is at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-control-plan-autumn-and-winter-2021-update  
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• For more information about getting your Covid-19 vaccine: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination
• Can you support the vaccination programme? More information for NHS staff and volunteers at: https://heiw.nhs.wales/jobs/nhs-wales-covid-19-vaccination-team-returning-healthcare-professionals/