Public Health Wales Wednesday update

Public Health Wales statement on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

This statement will be updated daily at 12pm

Updated: 12:00 Wednesday 25 March

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:

“150 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 628, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.  

“Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now circulating in every part of Wales.

“Five further deaths have been reported to us of people who had tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the number of deaths in Wales to 22.  

“We offer our condolences to the family and friends affected, and we ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality.”

As reported previously, the UK and Welsh Government have introduced new measures.

New rules on staying at home, and away from others

The single most important action we can all take in fighting coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.

When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. Three new measures have been introduced:

1. Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes

2. Closing non-essential shops and community spaces

3. Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public

Everybody must comply with these new measures. The relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

These measures are effective immediately. The Welsh Government, working with UK Government, will keep these measures under constant review and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.

Staying at home

You should only leave the house for one of four reasons:

1. Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible

2. One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household

3. Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

4. Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home

These four reasons are exceptions.  Even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

These measures must be followed by everyone.  Separate advice is available for individuals or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded.

If you work in a critical sector outlined in UK Government guidance, or your child has been identified as vulnerable, you can continue to take your children to school.  Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes.

For the guidance in full, visit the Department of Health and Social Care website: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response  

Dr Howe said: “People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Advice about the virus is available on the Public Health Wales website phw.nhs.wales/coronavirus. 

“Symptoms include a high temperature, where you feel hot to touch on your chest or back, and a new, continuous cough.  This means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.  If you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual.

“Anyone with a suspected coronavirus illness 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.

“Only call 999 if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, do not call 999 just because you are on-hold to 111.  We appreciate that 111 lines are busy, but you will get through after a wait.

“The public play a very important role in slowing the spread of infection. By strictly following the latest measures, you will protect yourself, protect the most vulnerable and help to reduce the pressure on NHS Wales and minimise the impact of the virus.”

Numbers of confirmed cases by local health board

Health Board	New	Cumulative
	cases	cases
To be confirmed	2	4
Resident outside Wales	1	4
Aneurin Bevan	61	309
Betsi Cadwaladr	3	22
Cardiff and Vale	29	125
Cwm Taf	19	42
Hywel Dda	11	38
Powys	3	14
Swansea Bay	21	70
Wales	150	628

Vehicle owners to be granted MOT exemption in battle against coronavirus

Vehicle owners to be granted MOT exemption in battle against coronavirus, the Department for Transport has announced. 

Temporary exemption will enable vital services to continue, frontline workers to get to work, and people to get essential food and medicine.

Vehicle owners will be granted a 6-month exemption from MOT testing, enabling them to continue to travel to work where this absolutely cannot be done from home, or shop for necessities.

All cars, vans and motorcycles which usually would require an MOT test will be exempted from needing a test from 30 March 2020. Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, and garages will remain open for essential repair work. Drivers can be prosecuted if driving unsafe vehicles.

Read advice on keeping a vehicle in a good condition.

People should stay at home and avoid travel. The only reasons people should leave their homes is set out in the government guidance.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

"We must ensure those on the frontline of helping the nation combat COVID-19 are able to do so.

"Allowing this temporary exemption from vehicle testing will enable vital services such as deliveries to continue, frontline workers to get to work, and people to get essential food and medicine.

"Safety is key, which is why garages will remain open for essential repair work."

Legislation will be introduced on March 30 and will come into immediate effect for 12 months, following a short consultation with key organisations. Drivers will still need to get their vehicle tested until the new regulations come into place, if they need to use it.

If you cannot get an MOT that’s due because you’re in self-isolation, the Department for Transport is working with insurers and the police to ensure people are not unfairly penalised for things out of their control.

Practical driving tests and annual testing for lorries, buses and coaches have been suspended for up to 3 months."

More information

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles due before 30 March 2020
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles due from 30 March 2020
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): MOT centre and tester guidance

Pandemic local update - Wednesday

* Glenda Romeo Williams from the 

Old Vicarage care team with supplies donated by Greggs.

The Town Council says it is continuing to support the work of the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group and following a request from them has agreed to make a contribution to the purchase of care packs for individuals who the group has identified as being at home with no funds and requiring food.

The packs provide enough supplies for a week and will be supplied to individuals within the Town Council’s geographic limits, whilst other care services can be accessed.

Help group co-ordinator Cat Mead posted late yesterday: “Lots of positives today, discussions with our local police who have assured us our Llangollen Neighbourhood Support Group COVID 19 is fully supported by them, we are able to continue our volunteer services to the community at this difficult time, they are also heavily involved in monitoring all activities carried out by our group.

“All volunteers have been contacted today to check their situation and reassure on measures  going forward. We have set up a private communications board amongst volunteers, for now we have enough to continue all support areas, however we will ask if any further are needed.

“Llangollen Town Council have kindly donated £760 today to assist, £260 has gone to the Foodshare and £500 on care packages for the elderly and vulnerable, this service has been much appreciated by those who have received it.

“A kind gesture from the closure of Edinburgh Woollen Mill saw gifts of shortbread and chocolate distributed to the Health Centre and Pharmacy Staff along with our fantastic posties to say thank you to them all.

“Medication requests for delivery have excelled today, our volunteers are working hard to assist, may I ask that you check with the pharmacy that your prescription is ready prior to placing a request for delivery.

“Dee Valley Fruit & Veg have had another busy day serving the town, lots of appreciation, lovely comments and support for our fantastic team on Oak St.

“Another great volunteer has been working with local businesses to create a useful food supply leaflet, this will be distributed by the end of the week, along with Issue 2 of the support group update.

“It was great to see the town empty today (never thought I would say that) for all the right reasons.

“Please continue to stay at home, don't allow the kids to gather to go the park or to their friends, it is a community effort to safeguard us all and ensure this beast has minimal impact on our residents. It is OK to sit/play in your garden, to walk your dog at distance from others or take a casual walk, jog, bike ride for exercise, all with precaution and sensible distancing. Essential shopping only, both Aldi and HB are stocked, please only go out if it is essential, lots of home delivery services coming in the next few days.”

Volunteer Paula Lingard posted: “Mike Connolly has asked me to thank, on his behalf, Edinburgh Woollen Mill who contacted him yesterday morning and donated their stock of shortbread, chocolate etc., to the Support Group and it was in turn divided equally between the Pharmacy, Health Centre and posties.”

* Goodies donated by Edinburgh Woollen Mill  to the support group for key workers.

One of the town’s major food outlets has introduced a new measure to ensure queuing customers stay at a safe distance from the tills.

The store posted on Facebook yesterday: “To our customers at Co-op Llangollen as part of social distancing we would appreciate it if you could stay behind the tape we have put by tills. This is not just for our protection but also yours thank you from all of us at co-op.”

* The customer safety line at the Co-op tills.
Picture  taken by the Co-op staff.

Generous gestures continued, including one mentioned by the Old Vicarage care home: “Many thanks to Greggs for donating fresh food and milk for the residents of the Old Vicarage today.”

From the Co-op nationally came this message yesterday: “From tonight our stores will be closing earlier than usual to give our colleagues a chance to replenish our shelves as well as giving them a well-needed rest. Monday to Saturday we'll close at 8pm, normal trading hours will be in place on Sunday. For more information head to https://coop.uk/3doWPgc #FoodHeroes #FeedingTheNation”

Bowen Son and Watson estate agents in Castle Street had stayed open a little longer than most shops but yesterday bowed to the inevitable.

The team there posted yesterday: “In light of the recent announcement by the Prime Minister we wish to provide you with our latest update. As per Government guidelines our offices will now close from 24 March for a period of three weeks and we have made arrangements to be able to provide service levels to you by key staff members.

"In the first instance please email the office with your query & contact details and a member of staff will return to you. Our details can be found on the 'contact us' page of our website: bowensonandwatson.co.uk"

But, as it performs an essential duty, the Blue Bay Launderette announced it was staying open when it posted: “Just a reminder. We're open tomorrow (Wednesday) for you to catch up on your laundry 9am - 5pm. If you require us to collect your laundry please ring 01978 869227. It would be much appreciated if you could pay by card. Hope everyone is keeping well.”

The fortnightly kerbside collection of textile bags issued by local charity Co-options has been suspended until further notice.

A note from the charity explained: “It is not possible at this time to sort the textiles safely and the employees operating this service will be remaining at home in line with government guidance as it is not considered critical at this time.

“Co-options textile banks should NOT be used at this time as this is NOT a legitimate reason to leave your home.

“Please try to keep good quality clothing to one side so it can be collected once restrictions are lifted.”

This service usually operates in north and central Denbighshire.

A video conferencing facility normally used to train and share best practice is being used to help reinforce key messages for palliative care professionals during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

Wales’ only ECHO learning hub is set up at Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham where it is normally used to offer training and share knowledge remotely for health and social care professionals working in isolation.

It brings together groups of practitioners to enable them to find solutions and share best practice. It means in these times of great strain on health and social care services we can learn from each other and not duplicate important aspects of work. It also provides a means of supporting staff in a variety of care settings in these challenging times.

The original intention of the ECHO model is to reduce isolation and improve access to case based learning and education for health and social care professionals. The impact the Coronavirus is having on the health care sector means it is proving invaluable in connecting with those who need to be kept up to date in a timely and coordinated fashion.

Hospice UK is hosting weekly ECHO sessions, which Nightingale House Hospice is taking part, to link over 230 palliative care health professionals from hospices, hospitals and community teams, to discuss issues and concerns or share best practice and innovative ways of service delivery.

Nightingale House’s ECHO hub has enabled some of the BCUHB palliative care team members to link to the national resource along with our own hospice team, cutting down the impact of face to face contact and reducing the time health professionals are away from their work.

Tracy Livingstone, Head of Governance and Education at Nightingale House, said: “We have already seen the benefits of connecting with key health and social care workers for training purposes but now the benefits of the ECHO suite has come into its’ own. We have joined forces with the palliative care teams at BCUHB to keep in touch during this unprecedented time.

“Moving forward ECHO will be held up as an excellent example of the benefits this type of communication can bring during a national crisis but also maintaining staff education and competence in practice in rural isolated communities, of which we have many within our catchment area. In Northern Ireland the Health and Social Care Board already commissions the services of the HUB in Belfast for professional education of isolated practitioners and already sees how big an impact its’ reach can have in those areas that could get forgotten about in the bigger picture.”

Chief constable says he'll stop incoming holiday-makers

North Wales Chief constable Carl Foulkes has pledged to stop the influx of holidaymakers into the region during the Covid-19 outbreak, reports the Daily Post online this evening.

For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/coronavirus-north-wales-police-stop-17974166

Police urge people to follow lock-down guidelines

* Police officers demonstrate the 2 metre social distancing rule.

North Wales are asking people to abide by the government guidelines and stay at home unless absolutely necessary.

PC Dave Smith of Wrexham Neighbourhood Policing team said; “The message is clear, stay at home. Ignoring government advice has serious consequences for all of us and risks the lives of your family and friends.

“We are aware that some people are not following social distancing advice. 

"We are urging the public to do their part by staying home and encouraging friends and family to do the same. 

“We are all in this together and we need your support more than ever. Reduce demand on our emergency services and help save lives. By doing this you really will make a difference.” “The public can be assured that police will continue to provide assistance, reassurance and a top quality policing service.” For advice do not call the police control room, please refer to the government website https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Remember:

* Stay at home 

* Only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work that cannot be done from home 

* Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people 

* Wash your hands as soon as you get home.

Coronavirus message from the head of the Post Office

Nick Read, group chief executive officer of the Post Office, has today sent out this email message to customers:

We know how important Post Office branches are to our customers. And we, alongside our postmasters and branch colleagues are doing all that we can to keep our branches open, so that we can continue to provide our products and services to you and your communities. At the moment, the majority of our branches are open as usual and our supply chain is running as normal. Our priority is to keep our customers, postmasters and colleagues safe and healthy. We have advised everyone working in our branches to practice good hand hygiene and we ask that our customers do the same, as well as maintaining a sensible distance between other customers and our colleagues. We will keep you updated as the situation evolves. But please rest assured that we are doing everything we can to support our customers, communities, postmasters and colleagues through this challenging time. Nick Read, Group Chief Executive Officer

County council update - Tuesday

The Council is responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement that we should only be making essential journeys and, where possible, will be encouraging people to use alternative methods for accessing services, such as using our website or telephones.

Below is a round-up of how services are affected:

Main council offices at County Hall (Ruthin), Caledfryn (Denbigh) and Russell House (Rhyl) :  All are closed to the public.  People are encouraged to visit the Council’s website for any information (www.denbighshire.gov.uk)   If you have any concerns about the welfare of a resident, please contact the Single Point of Access (SPOA) on 0300 456 1000.  For Out of Hours emergencies, please call 0345 053 3116 for Social Services, or 0300 123 3068 for all other services.  

Parks and playgrounds:   

The Council has started to close all parks and playgrounds across the county. The work of closing and securing all parks will be completed by Wednesday afternoon.

Loggerheads and Moel Famau Country Parks have been closed to the public, as well as Brickfields Pond in Rhyl, Marsh Tracks in Rhyl and Coed y Morfa in Prestatyn.    The Council has taken this decision in line with Welsh Government advice to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus and is in line with other Local Authorities and National Parks move to close public parks and beauty spots following concerns for public health with large numbers of people visiting .  Please help by following government guidance to stay at home, avoid unnecessary travel and practice social distancing.    

Car parks:  The car parks at Rhyl Sky Tower, Rhyl Pavilion, Nova (Prestatyn) the Central underground car park in Rhyl and the multi-storey car park in Denbigh are all closed.

Household Waste Recycling Centre Closures:

In order to help enforce the UK government’s instruction for residents to stay at home, all three of Denbighshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres have closed until further notice. Travelling to these sites to dispose of waste is NOT a valid reason to leave your homes.   Employees at these sites will be re-trained ready for  redeployment to support our key waste collection kerbside services for food waste and residual (black bin) waste.

Please retain your bulky waste, DIY waste, electrical items and garden waste within the curtilage of your own properties.  Please do not put out this waste for collection on your usual kerbside bin day as we will not be able to collect it.  If you discover hazardous waste at your property during a DIY project, such as asbestos, please contact the Council immediately for advice and to arrange it’s removal.

Registration Service: As of  23^rd March 2020, Denbighshire Registration Service has taken the decision to cease conducting marriage, civil partnership or other discretionary ceremonies (e.g. renewal of vows; baby naming etc.) at the Register Office and at any licensed venue in Denbighshire until further notice.   Anyone who has already made a booking may contact Denbighshire Registration Service by emailing: ceremonies@denbighshire.gov.uk  The registration of Births and Deaths is now Strictly by Appointment Only.  Please make an appointment by calling 01824 708100.   Copy certificates may be ordered over the telephone by calling 01824 708100.  Please note that it may take longer than normal to process your application, as priority will be given to the registration of Births and Deaths. 

Payments to the Council:  Numerous residents have been in touch, asking how they should make any payments to the Council.   Residents can pay for council tax, business rates, housing rent, housing benefit overpayment, parking fines and general invoices via the Council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/pay or  by the automated phone line: 0300 456 2499.  Where customers have a housing rent or council tax payment card, or a bill with a barcode payments can be made (via card, cash or cheque) at a Post Office, Paypoint or direct at the Natwest Bank.  Customers are asked to have the correct reference numbers for their payment when using these payment options.

Important information regarding Denbighshire licensed taxis/private hire:  The Licensing Team have had to implement interim steps for licensed taxis and private hire vehicles during the coronavirus situation.   As of today, you may see expired “taxi” plates on some vehicles.  Pleased do not be alarmed by this, as behind the scenes we have ensured that all the necessary licensing checks have been done!  You could now see, for the foreseeable future, a vehicle displaying an out of date vehicle plate on the rear, with either a paper printed version of the updated plate displayed in the vehicle or have available, on inspection, a smartphone version.  If you can’t see either of these please always ask the driver for proof of licence before you start your journey, they will be happy to show you.  You can also check by looking at the updated register of drivers / vehicles on our website  www.denbighshire.gov.uk/taxi-licences Any concerns please contact the Licensing team at licensing@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 706342.

Fleet’s Service Centre, Bodelwyddan:  The Council’s fleet service centre in Bodelwyddan is now closed to non-Council vehicles and customers.

Information previously released:

Libraries: From Monday March 23, our Library and One Stop Shop buildings will not be open to the public.  We will inform people of any developments. People are reminded that they can access a wealth of information and resources on the library section of the Council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/libraries

Child care for vital workers:  All schools in Denbighshire (apart from Ysgol Pendref, St Asaph VP, Ysgol Llanbedr and Ysgol Trefnant) have opened their doors today  to  provide child care for children of vital workers. School transport has been arranged. 

Free school meals:  Those children attending the vital workers child care in schools will continue to receive free school meals if they’re eligible. Any children not attending these sessions but are entitled to free school meals can call at these schools for a packed lunch

Reception at Russell House, Rhyl: This reception has been closed until further notice. If you have any concerns about the welfare of a resident, please contact the Single Point of Access (SPOA) on 0300 456 1000.  For Out of Hours emergencies, please call 0345 053 3116 for Social Services, or 0300 123 3068 for all other services.  

Single Point of Access:  This phone system is being changed to help signpost people to the right source of information, advice and assistance.   Callers will use the existing number 0300 456 1000 but following the option to select Welsh or English but will have different options to usual.

The following information was reported last week:

Update  from Denbighshire Leisure Ltd:  Denbighshire Leisure Ltd has decided to close all of its sites until further notice.  Closures include SC2 & Ninja TAG, Rhyl Pavilion and 1891 Restaurant and Bar, NOVA Prestatyn,  all leisure centres, North Wales Bowls Centre, Ruthin Craft Centre and Café R, Rhyl Town Hall and Llangollen Pavilion.   

Denbighshire Leisure will be freezing all Direct Debit payments for fitness memberships and swimming lessons, effective immediately. They will not be making any more collections on your direct debits until further notice. Customers don't need to do anything – the service will do this on their behalf and let people know in advance when they will be restarting, once the Covid-19 situation becomes clearer.

Food Safety:  If you are a new or existing food premises offering food delivery or take away/delivery service for the first time, due to the current covid-19 situation, the Council would like to hear from you.   It is essential that you assess the risk associated with this type of food service, to ensure you keep your customers safe in relation to allergens, food safety and social distancing.  We can advise you on these matters.  Please contact the Food Team on 01824 706405 food.safety@denbighshire.gov.uk

Community Support Services:

·        Cefndy Enterprises has stopped      taking new orders and will close today (Friday). Some staff will be in      work next week to dispatch any current orders.  

·        Day & Work Opportunities      closing today (Friday) enabling staff to be redeployed as required. 

·        Dolwen Day Care closing today      (Friday) enabling staff to be redeployed as required. 

·        Additional drivers being      drafted in for the Integrated Community Equipment Services to support      hospital discharge

Housing maintenance:  As a precaution, only emergency and/or urgent repairs will be attended as a result from the 23 March 2020. Please could you only contact us during office hours on 01824 706000 or on 0300 123 30 68 out of hours if it is an emergency. To report a general repair, visit https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/resident/housing/council-housing/request-a-council-housing-repair.aspx and we will respond to your enquiry as soon as we can.

Bulky waste collection: The Council has taken the decision to suspend all new bookings for the Bulky Waste Collection Service from Monday, 23 March, to ensure front line workers and fleet are reserved for the collection of other waste streams.  If it is possible to retain your items at home until the service resumes, please do so. Whilst our Household Waste Recycling Centres  remain open at this time, we are advising people to only use this service if it is unavoidable, due to the social distancing measures we have put in place.  The employees at the 3 Household Waste Cs are not able to assist visitors to remove their waste from their cars.

Garden Waste: The Council has taken the decision to suspend all kerbside garden waste Collection Services until further notice, to ensure front line workers and fleet are reserved for the collection of other waste streams, such as food waste and black bin/pink sack service).  The Council will extend all household subscriptions for the same number of weeks the service will be suspended.  We will be unable to process refunds for any households who have had a collection of garden waste within their collection years.   If it is possible to retain your garden waste at home outside in  your garden until the service resumes, please do so. Further guidance on “how to compost at home” will be provided on the Council website in the next few days (www.denbighshire.gov.uk)

Public Conveniences:  All public conveniences in Denbighshire will close from 5pm today until further notice.

Countryside and Heritage:   Given the current situation and advice on public gatherings, Denbighshire Countryside and Heritage Service will be implementing the following:

·        The Old Gaol and      Nantclwyd y Dre Heritage attractions in Ruthin will not be opening this      weekend and will remain closed to the public until further notice.

·        Plas Newydd and the      onsite café in Llangollen will not be opening until further notice, but      the grounds will be open.

·        Loggerheads Country      Park will remain open but the visitor centre will be closed. The café      remains open at this time.

·        Moel Famau Country Park      will also remain open.

Advice to businesses:  The Council’s website: http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/business has the latest information and advice to businesses regarding coronavirus, as well as links to Business Wales and Welsh Government websites.

Archives:  The public searchroom at Denbighshire Archives in Ruthin will close from Thursday, 19^th March.  Staff will be working away from the building but will answer e-mails whenever possible.  However, access to information and documents will be limited.

Exercise Referral Scheme:  This programme is being suspended until further notice. If you have any concerns or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact your local NERS Co-ordinator on 01824 712324.

Face to face service at Rhyl Job Centre:  This is being replaced by staff working from other buildings.