Latest statement from Public Health Wales

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

This statement will be updated daily at 11am

Updated: 11:00 Tuesday 17 March 2020

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:
“We can confirm that 12 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 136. 
“As we are currently only testing within hospitals, this is likely to underestimate the true number of cases.
“The advice for the public has changed. 
•    People are being advised to stay at home for 14 days if they, or anyone in their household, has either a high temperature or a new and continuous cough
•    People are now being advised to avoid non-essential contact with others and unnecessary travel
•    People are being asked to work from home where they possibly can, and avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and social venues
•    People in at-risk groups will be asked within days to be largely shielded from social contact for 12 weeks
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

“People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). People with a fever or persistent cough should stay at home for seven days if they live alone, or 14 days if they live with others. Anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should also stay at home for 14 days. They 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.”
“The public play an important role in the ‘delay’ phase. By following the latest advice, you will protect yourself, protect the most vulnerable, and delay and flatten the peak, which will reduce the pressure on NHS Wales and minimise the impact of the virus.

“We continue to undertake priority testing in Wales. We are working closely with health boards, NHS 111 and the Welsh Government to develop systems so that NHS Wales and members of the public have appropriate access to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.”
The table below shows the number of cases by local authority as of today Tuesday 17 March. Please note that at the time of publishing, the residential area of 12 of the confirmed cases today were still being confirmed. 

Local Authority	Number of cases on 16 March*	Number of new cases	Total number of cases as of 11am, 17 March
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council	7	1	8
Bridgend County Borough Council	1	2	3
Caerphilly County Borough Council	14	1	15
Carmarthenshire County Council	7	0	7
Ceredigion County Council	1	0	1
City and County of Swansea	21**	1	22
City of Cardiff Council	13	1	14
Conwy County Borough Council	1	0	1
Denbighshire County Council	0	0	0
Flintshire County Council	1	0	1
Gwynedd Council	0	0	0
Isle of Anglesey County Council	2	0	2
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council	0	0	0
Monmouthshire County Council	8	0	8
Neath Port Talbot Council	11	0	11
Newport City Council	21	3	24
Pembrokeshire County Council	2	0	2
Powys County Council	5	2	7
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council	2	0	2
Torfaen County Borough Council	2	1	3
Vale of Glamorgan Council	1	0	1
Wrexham County Borough Council	2	0	2
Resident outside Wales			2
Total:			136

*Please note that number of cases for yesterday (Monday 16 March) have been amended to include the cases for which residential area has now been confirmed. 
**This figure is a correction of yesterday’s reported number.

The latest information and travel advice is available from:

• Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England (PHE)
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
• The Welsh Government

Coronavirus message from the county council

Denbighshire County Council is urging people to keep an eye on each other over the coming weeks and months as coronavirus continues to affect communities nationwide.

The council says it has put plans in place to continue providing essential care and support, whilst balancing this with the need to reduce the risk of coronavirus affecting people in its communities.  

The number of visitors to residential homes will be restricted to family and friends, health care professionals such as GP’s, district nurses and carers.  All other visitors will be asked to postpone visits for the time being. 

The council has also reviewed all of its care calls, with the view of delivering essential care and support only and minimising contact wherever possible. This may mean that staff will visit less often, but will  continue to ensure people remain as safe as possible.  

Some face to face care and support calls could be replaced with telephone wellbeing checks.

Meanwhile,  the council will be suspending its face-to-face homeless prevention service at the Ask Centre, Water Street, Rhyl, from Tuesday, March 17.  

The move will allow members of the team to continue to provide services during the Delay Phase of the outbreak with residents needing support able to call 01824 712936.  The lines will be open 8.30am – 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am-4.30pm on Fridays. Residents currently working with the team may also use this number or can call their homelessness prevention officer directly.

The council is also encouraging residents to keep an eye on other people in the community by ensuring they are safe and warm.  

To avoid the risk of loneliness during any self-isolation, the council is encouraging people to either call in (if safe to do so) or arrange contact via telephone or other technology.  A call to check on people’s welfare, checking their shopping needs and general friendship can have a significant positive impact on individuals’ well-being and general health.

The council is also encouraging people to be vigilant for any so-called scams doing the rounds and from a safeguarding perspective, it is advising people never to provide bank account details to people over the phone, make sure that their properties are safe by hiding any valuable items in their home and never sharing  bank account details with people who call on the phone.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Health and Well-being, said: “We are still in the winter months and our keep well this winter campaign is still active. However, with daily headlines about coronavirus and so much uncertainty, people may feel more isolated than usual and may be more dependant on goodwill and friendship during this difficult time.

“I would ask people to be neighbourly and check on their neighbours. A call to check on people’s welfare, checking their shopping needs and general friendship can have a significant positive impact on individuals’ well-being and general health."

If you have concerns about any vulnerable people in Denbighshire, please contact the Single Point of Access, on 0300 456 1000.

For further advice on health related issues, please visit the Public Health Wales website: http://www.phw.nhs.wales or Welsh Government: gov.wales

* Llangollen Town Council says that while it is closing the Town Hall buildings as a measure against possible infection, the council itself will continue to function, with members and officials working from home following scheduled meetings this week.  

* Clwyd South AM Ken Skates announced this morning that due to the escalating coronavirus situation, Friday's planned surgery in Llangollen has been postponed.

He said: "If you were planning to attend, please contact my office on 01978 869058 or email ken.skates@assembly.wales with your details and I will call you personally on Friday. Alternatively, you can speak to a member of my constituency team and we can take your case up immediately.

"Arrangements for other upcoming surgeries will be reviewed nearer the time and I will keep constituents updated through social media, my website and local media.

"If you weren't planning to come along on Friday but there is something you need help with, please get in touch."

More details of rates help for small businesses during coronavirus

llanblogger has obtained more information on the rates relief scheme announced yesterday by the Welsh Government to help get small businesses cope with the effects of coronavirus.

A government release says:

"The Welsh Government is today announcing a package of support worth more than £200m for small businesses to help them during the coronavirus outbreak.

Retail, leisure and hospitality businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or less will receive 100% business rate relief and pubs with a rateable value of between £51,000 and £100,000 will receive a £5,000 reduction on their bill.

A further £100m will be available for a new grant scheme for small businesses Further details on this new grant scheme will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Announcing the decision, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said:

“I’m pleased we can offer this package of support to businesses as part of our response to the coronavirus outbreak. We are allocating every penny of the funding we will be receiving as a consequence of the schemes the UK Government announced in England last week to support businesses in Wales.

“But I know that helping businesses with their rates bills will not be enough to protect them from the severe drop in custom many are experiencing as coronavirus cases increase.

“We will be calling on the UK Government to act quickly and decisively to provide a very significant support package for vulnerable businesses and their employees.”

Bistro boss seeks crowd funding to help those kept in by virus

A Llangollen restaurant boss is aiming to crowd fund a service to provide food and drink to people confined at home by the coronavirus infection threat.

Fern Evans, who runs the Phoenix Bistro in the town, has set out her idea on Facebook this morning (Tuesday) and expands on it on the gofundme page she has set up.

She says: “The recent coronavirus update has advised members of the public to basically avoid any businesses within the hospitality industry.

“However, no order has been issued for owners of these businesses to shut down, meaning that the government is under no obligation to provide them with any kind of financial support. 

“I‘m not going to get into the problems that self-employed people like me are about to face, because that’s not what this is about.

“As much as I am worried about the future of my business, it’s nothing compared to the complete feeling of despair that I have for the vulnerable members of our community that have been told to quarantine themselves for 12 weeks. I want to be able to help those people, in whatever way I can.

“At the moment, I can barely pay my bills, let alone afford to provide food, or anything else to those in need, but I really would not feel comfortable asking those people for any money towards such a service when they’ve been left in such a situation through  no fault of their own. So I’m left in a bit of a quandary. 

“I’ve never done this kind of thing before, so it’s a massive long shot, and it may not work, but I figure it’s worth a go. Therefore I’m asking for donations to help me fill my cupboards (and my fuel tank) so that I can provide food, drink, and little treats to those people in my community that can’t get out of the house for the foreseeable future. 

“I’ve got loads of ideas, but I’m not going to rabbit on anymore. however if you want to know any more about what I intend to do with the donations or how this will work, then please feel free to email me and I will be more than happy to answer your questions.”

* Fern can be contacted at: thephoenixbistro2018@gmail.com .
facebook/instagram @thephoenixbistro

Her gofundme page is at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-provide-a-food-service-to-the-vulnerable?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR3drJPNqN4bNZkX8_GMaj4lIQPbbkNicLYkWR1FzCTQH2Fj6ST4Q-jHiYU

There’s also a positive message from another of Llangollen’s eateries.

On its Facebook page, Pretty Village Teamroom says: “Amelia and I ARE STAYING OPEN until further notice from Mr BoJo that we may HAVE to close!

“ Our complimentary sanitizer is still in force!”

And it’s a similar story with Sam’s Coffee at Gales Wine Bar.

On its Facebook site it has the message: “O P E N. We will keep open as long as we can and as long as it’s safe.  We have space here and a warm, clean and positive welcoming environment. 

“You all know the drill with being clean by now. We’re having a meeting today to plan the next stage, how we can keep going and help people in the community that need it.  Please support us and your local businesses in the coming days and weeks if you can too.

“In the meantime I’m compiling a serious FUNK playlist to get us through this and keep our heads up.

“Open until 3pm, free squirt of alcohol Gel at the till. Card payments only if at all possible, please.”

Organisers of LlanBikeFest says in its Facebook update on coronavirus: “Well, 2020 doesn't seem to be going according to plan so far: MotoGP season start delayed; Manchester Bike Show cancelled until next year; TT cancelled ...

“We take the safety of our visitors, exhibitors, traders and helpers very seriously and are monitoring the situation carefully. Our event is not for another 4½ months, by which time we are hoping that the situation will have stabilised at the very least.

“As things stand at the time of writing we are planning and preparing for a bumper festival with more guests than ever, a host of attractions and activities and fantastic entertainment.

“We will keep an eye on the situation but we look forward to seeing you all in Llangollen in August.”

There’s a less positive message from Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwn, where many Llangollen go for entertainment.

They say on Facebook: “In response to the Prime Minister’s statement this evening, advising the UK public to avoid unnecessary social contact, we regret to inform you that Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn will not be staging shows or screening films at this time. We will continue to follow guidance as to when we should recommence our programme. 

“We kindly ask that you do not contact the box office as our teams will be contacting you soon with further details regarding cancelled and postponed events.

“We understand that this decision will come as a disappointment and inconvenience, but ultimately we all want the same thing: the health and safety of our communities, and we believe this is the correct decision to make.

“Thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation. We appreciate you support and look forward to welcoming you back to Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn again very soon.”

* If you have an update on how coronavirus is affecting you or your organisation or business send the details to llanblogger@gmail.com

Small businesses to get coronavirus rates help

Small businesses will benefit from more than £200m to help them during the coronavirus outbreak, the Welsh Government has said.

The BBC is reporting this morning that shops, leisure and hospitality businesses will see their rates cut, and in some cases removed, while a separate grant scheme will be available for those who are not eligible.

It comes after Wales was promised £835m by Westminster to help businesses.

Forr the full story, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51916208

Welsh Government gets £475m to combat virus

Welsh Government will receive £475m from the UK Government to support people and businesses through COVID-19.

This will mean they can increase funding for the NHS and provide vital grants to businesses as they are hit by the economic shockwave.

For the full story, see: https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/welsh-government-475m-support-businesses-17934598

llanblogger's motoring man caught by Spanish lock down

* Steve and Jean Rogers have been caught by the lock down in Spain.

Llanblogger's motoring correspondent Steve Rogers is one of thousands of British tourists trapped in Corona virus torn Spain.

Rogers, 68, from Wrexham, and his wife, Jean, 69, are spending three months in Roquetas de Mar in Spain's south eastern province of Almeria and are not due to return to the UK until the end of April. 

He has just sent this update.

"As I write Jean is trying to get through to consular sites for information about driving through Spain. We want to make a dash for home but don't know yet if we can leave here, let alone get through the French border 550 miles away.

"Saturday's stringent Lock Down decision by the Madrid government seems to have caught out everyone, not just the tourists. 

"From Sunday we were effectively under 'house arrest' able only to go a food shop or pharmacy. We understand only essential transport is allowed on the roads but there are conflicting reports that cars with foreign plates heading for home will be allowed to continue the journey.

"Our dilemma is leaving the relative comfort and safety of our apartment, driving through Spain but then getting turned back at the French border. Hopefully that situation will become clearer this afternoon although Jean's efforts so far with the consular offices in Alicante, Madrid and Malaga have drawn a blank.

"Contact with a person is impossible and voicemail boxes are full so we are just trying to come up with alternative solutions.

"Maybe we should have anticipated such drastic measures given the fact that the Spanish government seems to have buried its head in the sand while the rest of the world reacts but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

"We have friends whose flight home from Malaga was cancelled as a result of the lock down but they have managed to get places on a rescue flight on Thursday. The situation for people who have driven is clearly more complicated and stressful.

"Even though this is a lovely warm area with more than 300 days of sun the majority of visitors from November to May are from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands so it is relatively quiet with many hotels still closed but even so when we went out briefly yesterday it seemed the world had come to an end. Everywhere was deserted.

"We have just heard France will lock down from Wednesday so the decision has been made. We are making a run for it."