Coronavirus latest from Welsh Government

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

·    People who were previously shielding in Wales are received a letter from Health Minister Vaughan Gething setting out further advice as Wales is at alert level four lockdown.

o   People who are extremely clinically vulnerable are advised not to go to work or attend school for the time being while cases of coronavirus are very high

o   Written statement: https://gov.wales/written-statement-letter-those-who-are-clinically-extremely-vulnerable-previously-shielding-0

o   Letter: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/inline-documents/2021-01/210105%20-%20Changes%20to%20advice%20for%20the%20clinically%20extremely%20vulnerable%20in%20Wales%20from%20the%2022nd.pdf

o   Guidance: https://gov.wales/guidance-protecting-people-defined-medical-grounds-clinically-extremely-vulnerable-coronavirus

·         Updated guidance: Schools: https://gov.wales/schools-coronavirus-guidance

 

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 2,238 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 161,516 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Very sadly, there were 76 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 3,738.

o   These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

·         The Office for National Statistics has today published statistics on provisional weekly deaths, including deaths involving Covid-19, for the week ending 25 December.

o   The cumulative number of deaths involving Covid-19 occurring in Welsh residents up to 25 December was 4,732.

o   Of the deaths registered in the week ending 25 December, there were provisionally 278 deaths involving Covid-19. This was 34% of all deaths and 22 more than the previous week.

o   For the period 29 February to 25 December, there were a total of 3,900 excess deaths (15%) above the five-year average. The excess death rate in Wales is lower than in England for this period.

o   https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest

 

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

o   Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

o   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

o   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   Dr Frank Atherton, Wales’ chief medical officer and Dr Andrew Goodall, chief executive of NHS Wales, held today’s press conference. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1346792394461564930

o   Slides used in today’s press conference are here: https://gov.wales/slides-and-datasets-chief-medical-officer-and-nhs-wales-chief-executives-coronavirus-briefing-6-january-2021

Welsh Government's latest coronavirus update

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

·         Childcare and play at alert level four lockdown – your questions answered: https://gov.wales/childcare-and-play-alert-level-4-frequently-asked-questions

·         Updated guidance: Taxis and private hire vehicles: https://gov.wales/taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-guidance

·         Updated guidance: Care home visiting: https://gov.wales/visits-care-homes-guidance-providers-html

·         NHS activity and capacity statistics: https://gov.wales/nhs-beds-admissions-and-hospitalisations-during-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic

 

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 2,069 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 159,278 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Very sadly, there were 17 further deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 3,662.

o   These figures are updated daily at: 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

o   Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

o   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

o   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.

 

French beauty with the wow factor

Peugeot 208 road test by Steve Rogers

If wow factor is what you want then feast your eyes on this French beauty.

As superminis go there is nothing to match the reigning European Car of the Year. Not that we should be surprised, the French have been churning out head turners for decades - Citroen DX, Renault 16, Peugeot 405 - I could fill a page, and the fifth generation 208 is the best in its 37 year history.

Just to clear up any confusion for those who think this model should be called 209, Peugeot decided a couple of years ago to stop at eight for every model in its line up.

The body styling is not even the best feature, it's the cabin where the real wow comes in. The futuristic switch free i-Cockpit broke cover on the 308 seven years ago and has been tweaked and honed so much so that no one comes close to matching its chic design, while the quality of materials has pushed the 208 towards the premium division.

That is where this love-in with 208 has to take a breather. The i-Cockpit is certainly fabulous to look at but has its critics and I am one. The driver's binnacle sits on top of the dashboard so it is a case of looking over rather than through the small steering wheel which has a flat top to make it easier to see the display.

It means you have two choices: sit low or high and getting it right, or rather close to right, takes too long and is even more irritating when a partner has a different preference. If ever there was a case for powered driver's seat with memory function this is it.

The original i-Cockpit design came in for a lot of stick because every function was controlled through the touchscreen which took the driver's eye away from the road for too long. That was partly resolved with stylish quick keys and the set up in the 208 has been further refined with touch pads as well although they need to be angled rather than flat for ease of selection.

Once the driving position is sorted and the controls mastered the 208 is driving pleasure. There is a tremendous feel good factor right through the cabin both with the sparkling design features and premium quality materials while the driver's interchangeable 3D head up display has to be seen to be believed

It is good to drive as well and I like the small steering wheel. It harks back to the sixties and seventies when a steering wheel did nothing more than steer, so us young bucks in our bangers swapped the ungainly big one for the tiny rally styles of the day in the misguided hope you would drive faster. How silly we were.

Even though the Peugeot supermini's reputation was built on the handling prowess of the sublime 205GTI the latest version airs more on the side of comfort but can still be thrown around with confidence and in many ways is the ideal compromise.

There is a GT badge on the back of my test car though this was a long way from its speed machine ancestor. Times have changed, now it is all about smaller engines giving a lot from a little with as few nasty carbon emissions as possible and Peugeot has been leading the charge.

This three-cylinder 1.2 petrol is no flyer compared to some hybrid rivals, and while it won't give GT performance of old it meets the demands of modern day driving. That said the week's average of 47mpg with a best of 52mpg was down on what I was expecting.

Cabin space is no better than average so if your family has lanky youngsters get them in the back for a trial before signing on the dotted line. All the seats are well shaped and comfortable.

On price the 208 is at the top end of its class but is well equipped right from entry level with many safety features, and the engine line up is strong. My choice would be this 101bhp petrol even though the diesel will give better economy.

So a desirable car although I would be inclined to move up to the 2008 crossover for the extra space.

Need to know

208 GT Line 8sp auto

£22,100 (range starts £17,155)

1.2 litre; 101bhp

0-62mph 10.8secs; 117mph

50.3mpg combined

99g/km. 1st tax £130

Insurance group 20

Boot: 311 litres

 

Exclusive: Llan woman one of first to receive new Covid jab

* llanblogger exclusive 

* 91-year-old Mair Evans receives the vaccination from Dr Alec Jones at Llangollen Health Centre.

A 91-year-old Llangollen woman became one of the first in her age-group to receive the new Oxford, AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this afternoon (Tuesday).

Earlier in the day Llangollen Health Centre was appointed by the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board as one of only four pilot GP practice vaccination centres in North Wales and immediately began notifying people in the over-80s group that they could come in for the Covid-beating jab just after 4pm.

And first in line for the revolutionary vaccination was Mrs Mair Evans who rolled up her sleeve to receive it from practice member Dr Alec Jones.

Mrs Evans said: “It was all very sudden and when I got up this morning I wasn’t expecting to be getting the injection. However, it’s a good feeling to know that I am one of the first.”

Practice manager Tessa Orton-Jones said: “It’s a great honour for us to be chosen as one of just four pilot centres in the whole of North Wales.

“We’ve made appointments for 48 people in the over-80s age-group to come in to the centre for vaccination today and will continue from here.

“In the practice area we have 5,000 people in the age-groups who will be receiving the vaccination as a priority.

“As one of the pilot centres the health board will obviously be observing how this process goes in a GP practice like ours.”  

County invites feedback on active travel schemes

* Wider pavements installed in Castle Street, 

Llangollen as part of the scheme.

Residents are being asked to share their views on temporary active travel schemes in Llangollen, Ruthin and Rhyl.

Work is underway on a trial of town centre improvements after Denbighshire County Council was successful in its bid for Welsh Government funding.

The funding, part of the Local Sustainable Transport COVID Response Fund 2020-21, is being used to introduce improvements that facilitate social distancing and make it easier for people to travel actively within town centres.

Work to install the temporary schemes in Llangollen, Ruthin and Rhyl has now been completed and the Council is beginning to monitor their effect and asking residents for feedback.

Councillor Brian Jones, the Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “These temporary schemes aim to support social distancing and it is vital we ensure our residents feel safe to visit our towns so they can accesses services and local businesses.

“The scheme will also encourage active travel around the centres of Llangollen, Ruthin and Rhyl. Encouraging active travel helps reduce car journeys, improves air quality and offers safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists as well as providing health and well-being benefits.

“The measures also allow for some businesses to be able to move all or part of their business activity to outside areas. When circumstances allow, we hope these measures will encourage people to support their local businesses and to shop and spend time locally. Collecting feedback from residents, visitors and businesses to each of the three towns will be vital in helping to understand what the temporary schemes mean for people.

“We plan to monitor feedback in blocks of approximately 6-8 weeks throughout the trial period. This will allow us to review and report back to communities regularly on what’s been said, as well as provide us with an opportunity to update on any adjustments being made to the schemes, should these prove necessary.”

In addition to the online surveys, those who responded to a consultation on the proposals in July and provided their contact details, will be written to.

Local residents and businesses in streets where the temporary schemes have been installed will be sent a newsletter by mail early in January 2021, and signage will also be installed early in the new year on location at the temporary schemes to promote the opportunity to provide feedback so that passers-by are aware they can have their say also.

The Council will also accept feedback in writing to: The Active Travel Team, Denbighshire County Council, Caledfryn, Denbigh, LL16 3RJ.

* Further information and feedback surveys are available at https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/ and the first round of feedback ends on January 31, 2021.

 

Chancellor announces help for lockdown businesses

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has this morning announced £4.6bn in new lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs.

Those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000.

This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement last night that these business will be closed until at least February half-term in order to help control the virus, and, together with the wide range of existing support, provides them with certainty through the Spring period.

The cash is provided on a per-property basis to support businesses through the latest restrictions, and is expected to benefit over 600,000 business properties, worth £4 billion in total across all nations of the UK.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "The new strain of the virus presents us all with a huge challenge - and whilst the vaccine is being rolled out, we have needed to tighten restrictions further.

"Throughout the pandemic we’ve taken swift action to protect lives and livelihoods and today we’re announcing a further cash injection to support businesses and jobs until the Spring.

"This will help businesses to get through the months ahead – and crucially it will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able to reopen."

A further £594 million is also being made available for Local Authorities and the Devolved Administrations to support other businesses not eligible for the grants, that might be affected by the restrictions. Businesses should apply to their Local Authorities.

The new one-off grants come in addition to billions of existing business support, including grants worth up to £3,000 for closed businesses, and up to £2,100 per month for impacted businesses once they reopen.

The government has also provided 100% business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, £1.1 billion existing discretionary funding for Local Authorities, the furlough scheme now extended to April and 100% government backed loans, extended until March.

Further information

• the one-off top-ups will be granted to closed businesses as follows:
• £4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under
• £6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• £9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000
• business support is a devolved policy and therefore the responsibility of the devolved administrations, which will receive additional funding as a result of these announcements in the usual manner:
• the Scottish Government will receive £375 million
• the Welsh Government will receive £227 million
• the Northern Ireland Executive will receive £127 million
• this is on top of the increased funding which has already been guaranteed by the UK Government, to continue to provide the devolved administrations the certainty they need to plan for their COVID-19 response in the months ahead
• small businesses in the devolved administrations should also be able to benefit from other UK-wide measures in the government’s unprecedented package of support for business, including the various business lending schemes (where the repayment terms were made easier as part of the Winter Economy Plan), and the extension of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.

Latest Covid-19 update from Welsh Government

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

·        As the four UK chief medical officers today agreed the UK’s level of risk has reached the highest level, Education Minister Kirsty Williams has confirmed all school and college students will receive online learning until January 18.

o   The Welsh Government made the announcement following consultation with the WLGA and Colegau Cymru. The next fortnight will be used to plan for the rest of term.

o   Universities in Wales have already agreed a staggered start to the term.

o   Schools statement: https://gov.wales/written-statement-return-school-and-college-arrangements

o   Joint CMO statement: https://gov.wales/joint-statement-uk-cmos-recommending-uk-covid-19-alert-level-move-level-4-level-5

 

·         The first Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines were given to people in Wales today as clinics are set up across the nation, just five days after the vaccine was approved for use in the UK.

o   There are now two Covid-19 vaccines in use in Wales – the Oxford vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine.

o   https://gov.wales/written-statement-covid-19-vaccine-deployment-data-wales and https://gov.wales/second-covid-19-vaccine-arrives-wales

o   Watch Health Minister Vaughan Gething’s press conference: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1346067991822102528

o   Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/

 

·         First Minister’s New Year message: https://gov.wales/new-year-message-first-minister-wales-mark-drakeford

 

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 1,898 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 157,209 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Very sadly, there were 25 further deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 3,645.

o   These figures are updated daily at: 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

o   Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

o   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

o   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   Health Minister Vaughan Gething held today’s press conference. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1346067991822102528

o   The slides from today’s press conference are at: https://gov.wales/slides-and-datasets-minister-health-and-social-services-coronavirus-briefing-4-january-2021

New way for patients to contact health centre is trialled

Llangollen Health Centre is notifying patients it is trialling a new way to contact the practice.

In a Facebook post it says: "During the Covid-19 pandemic it has become clear that patients appreciate having an alternative method of contacting us other than the telephone and we have been encouraging patients to email us with non-urgent requests. 

"However, there are issues with emails and we have been looking for an alternative which gives patients the same flexibility but also ensures the query has some structure and contains all the necessary details.

"From 4th January 2021, we are trialling a new system for contacting us regarding non-urgent queries and we would like patients to use this system instead of emailing us. Please note you are still able to phone us on 01978 860625.

"If you need to contact us regarding a non-urgent issue please use the following link:

https://florey.accurx.com/p/W91010

"You will see three options:

· I have an admin query – please use this for requests for repeat prescription, sick notes, test results or anything else that is not related to a medical issue

· I want help for a medical issue – please use this to go on triage regarding a medical issue. If your query is regarding a skin lesion, mole, rash or lump please upload a photo if you can

· I want to see online advice – please use this for advice and guidance on condition, symptoms and treatments, including self care advice

"You will be asked some standard questions to ensure that you do not need an ambulance and then you will be asked to provide some further information regarding your query. We will aim to deal with your query within two working days.

"For urgent queries please continue to ring us on 01978 860625."

Minister's statement on arrangements for schools and colleges

Education Minister Kirsty Williams (pictured) has issued this statement on arrangements for schools and colleges:

The situation in Wales and across the UK remains very serious. Today, the four UK Chief Medical Officers have agreed that the UK is now at the highest level of risk, Joint Biosecurity Council level 5.

In the light of that decision the Welsh Government, in consultation with the WLGA and Colegau Cymru, has agreed that all schools, colleges and independent schools should move to online learning until January 18th.

As a government we will use the next two weeks to continue to work with local authorities, schools and colleges to plan for the rest of term.

This is the best way to ensure that parents, staff and learners can be confident in the return to face to face learning, based on the latest evidence and information.

Schools and colleges will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable learners, as well as for learners who need to complete essential exams or assessments. On this basis Special Schools and PRU’s should remain open if possible.

We had initially given schools flexibility in the first two weeks of term to decide when to reopen based on local circumstances.

But it is now clear that a national approach of online learning for the first fortnight of term is the best way forward.

We know that schools and colleges have been safe and secure environments throughout the pandemic.

However, we also know that education settings being open can contribute to wider social mixing outside the school and college environment.

We are confident that schools and colleges have online learning provision in place for this immediate period,

Universities in Wales have already agreed a staggered start to term. Students should not return to universities for face to face learning until they are notified that they can do so.

Wales remains in the highest level of restrictions. Everyone must stay at home.

I will continue to update members.

This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.

Minister says Wales "not left behind" in vaccine roll-out

* Health Minister Vaughan Gething gives today's press conference.

Wales’ health minister has denied the nation is “behind the pace” in rolling out Covid-19 vaccines and promised a “significant acceleration” in the coming weeks, reports the BBC online news.

This comes as the number of new cases in north Wales continues to climb,

Giving the Welsh Government's latest coronavirus update Vaughan Gething said he believed the Welsh NHS would have vaccinated people within the “first” priority groups, including care home residents, “at about the same time as every other UK nation”.

Letters going to every household about the vaccine rollout “will provide people with a measure of assurance” and would explain how they would be contacted, he told the Welsh Government press conference on Monday.

Amid concern about the rollout, Mr Gething said he hoped to publish more detail on numbers and “a better indication of how we’re going through all those occupational groups”.

“So I appreciate everyone has questions, but I think that people at the end of this will see that we have not been behind the pace," he said.

“And actually the significant acceleration that we'll see over the coming weeks will give people even an even greater measure of confidence about the coming months.”

* Mr Gething said the number of mass vaccination centres in Wales will be increased to 22 and more than 60 GP surgeries will offer the Oxford vaccine.

He said mobile units would be set up throughout Wales.

Health boards and local authorities would be writing to everyone in Wales with more information about the vaccine in the coming days, he said.

“We are training a range of healthcare workers to give the vaccine and we have plans to work with local pharmacists, dentists and optometrists to provide vaccination clinics.

“We will continue to provide the Pfizer vaccine at the mass vaccination centres across Wales," he added.

“We are working to the priority list agreed by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation. The rest of the UK is working to the same list."

Mr Gething said the immediate priority was to vaccinate front-line health and care staff, care home residents and staff, and people over the age of 80, which would save the greatest number of lives.

He said everyone would get two doses up to 12 weeks apart.

* Schools in Wales will continue with the phased return to face-to-face learning over the first two weeks of the new term unless the "evidence changes", according to Mr Gething.

Teaching unions have voiced concern about sending pupils back to class while a new variant of coronavirus continues to spread.

Vaughan Gething said closing schools remained a "last resort" but added: "If the evidence changes then we'll have to take account of that evidence and that may lead to a different choice."

* OVER 300 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed across our region by Public Health Wales (PHW) today, reports the Denbighshire Free Press.

There have now been almost 19,570 lab-confirmed cases of the virus from the combined counties that make up the North Wales region since the outbreak of the pandemic - after more incidents were confirmed in the latest figures released today.

Public Health Wales confirmed that the 304 of today’s 1,898 newly confirmed Welsh cases were from the northern region.

They can be broken down as such:

• Anglesey – 14 (20.0 per 100,000 population as of today)

• Conwy – 29 (24.7 per 100,000 population as of today)

• Denbighshire – 62 (64.8 per 100,000 population as of today)

• Flintshire – 91 (58.3 per 100,000 population as of today)

• Gwynedd – 15 (12.0 per 100,000 population as of today)

• Wrexham – 93 (68.4 per 100,000 population as of today)

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – the largest health board in Wales – has reported 595 people have sadly died to date according to PHW data.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics, which are considered a stronger indicator of the overall impact of the virus, and which are based on all deaths where COVID is mentioned on the death certificate, stand at 773 for the health board area.

Second Covid vaccination to be rolled out across Wales from today

The second COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled-out across Wales from today (Monday) with at least 40,000 doses available within the first two weeks, says the Welsh Givernment. 

Last week [Wednesday 30 December] the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised the AstraZeneca vaccine as safe and effective following stringent clinical trials - just 3 weeks after the first coronavirus vaccine, Pfizer BioNTech, was approved for use across the UK.

The Welsh Government and NHS Wales have been preparing for the vaccinations’ approvals and delivery since June.

The UK Government has procured vaccines on behalf of the four nations and around 100m of these are of the AstraZeneca vaccine - formerly known as Oxford AstraZeneca - with Wales receiving its allocation based on population over the next weeks and months.

Two doses will be needed, with an interval of between four and 12 weeks between doses. This is a change from previous advice for both vaccines of a four week gap between doses, as the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that as many people as possible in the top priority groups should sequentially be offered a first vaccine dose as the initial priority.

The recommendation to prioritise the first dose will allow protection to more people in the priority groups at a time when COVID is still spreading in Wales.

Based on a UK-wide priority system, the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine has already begun to be administered to frontline health and social care staff, as well as care home residents and staff and people aged over 80 and the AstraZeneca vaccine will enable more.

Latest figures to end of Sat 27^th December show that over 35,000 people have received the first dose of the vaccine within just 3 weeks of the start of the vaccination programme.

Every health board in Wales will receive their allocation in proportion to the size of its priority population and ability to deliver, as outlined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s prioritisation list.

Unlike the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, the AstraZeneca vaccine is stored at normal vaccine fridge temperatures. This means it will have few storage and transportation issues, making it much easier to use in community settings such as care homes and primary care settings like GP surgeries.

People are asked not to phone their GP, pharmacy or hospital asking when they will get a vaccine. When someone is in one of the groups eligible for the vaccine, they will be invited to attend a dedicated clinic which will have been set up to ensure patient safety and that of the healthcare professionals.

Correspondence will come from local health boards and the vaccine is free of charge through the NHS. People are warned to be alert to scams asking for money or personal information.

The effects of the vaccines may not be seen nationally for many months and the advice on keeping Wales safe remains the same for everyone; keep contacts with others to a minimum, keep a 2 metre distance from others, wash hands regularly, wear a face covering where required and avoid touching surfaces others have touched, wherever possible.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Today marks a key milestone in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The roll-out of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been called a ‘game changer’ and this is true - its potential should not be underestimated. 

“In less than a month Wales’ NHS has mobilised the largest vaccination programme our country has ever seen and so far more than 35,000 people have received their first dose.

“Now, only 5 days since regulatory approval of the new vaccine for use in the UK, a second vaccine is here and ready for use, significantly adding to Wales’ defences in the face of coronavirus and protecting our most vulnerable.”

Senior Responsible Officer for Wales’ COVID-19 Vaccine Programme Dr Gillian Richardson said: “It is fantastic news that there is now a second vaccine to help protect our communities’ most vulnerable from the harms of COVID-19.

“Pace will be governed by supply, which will start slowly this week but build vastly over the coming weeks and months. However, vaccinations are happening in GP surgeries from today and we will also see an increase in our vaccination centres over the course of this month.

“It is so important that people continue to wait their turn for the vaccine – you will be contacted when your time comes. Please do not contact your GP or local pharmacy and add unnecessary pressures to their workload.”