Local coronavirus update - Tuesday

Llangollen Health Centre yesterday (Monday) issued a statement on its arrangements for the Easter Bank Holidays.

It says: “In order to reduce the pressure on the Out of Hours service, Llangollen Health Centre will be open for our patients on Good Friday and Easter Monday. 

“Patients will be able to phone us between 8.30am and 6.00pm on both days.  Between 8.00 - 8.30am, and 6.00 - 6.30pm, patients can contact us for urgent medical assistance only on our emergency line – 01978 860489.

“Patients can email Llangollen.Admin@wales.nhs.uk at any time, although we will not be able to answer emails on Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^th April.

“Between 6.30pm on Friday 10^th April and 8.00am on Monday 13^th April, patients can contact the Out of Hours service for urgent medical attention on 0300 123 55 66.

“Details of pharmacies open over the Easter weekend in our local area and of emergency dental services can be found on our website:  www.llangollenhealth.com

Also on Facebook yesterday, Llangollen Health Centre sent out further clarification for very high risk patients.

It said: “We have now received the list of very high risk patients who should have received a shielding letter. These patients fall into one of the categories listed below. If you believe you do fall into one of these categories but you have not received a shielding letter, please contact the practice – either by ringing 01978 860625 or by emailing Llangollen.Admin@wales.nhs.uk – and we will review your notes. 

"With regard to food parcels, you need to apply for these via your local council (contact details are given at the end of the shielding letter, but you should only do so if you have no other means of getting food (eg family, friends, local volunteer groups).

“Please remember that “very high risk” patients are different from “vulnerable” patients. A list of the vulnerable patient categories is also given below. Vulnerable patients will not be receiving a letter. They DO NOT need to completely isolate for 12 weeks but should strictly adhere to the social distancing guidance, https://gov.wales/coronavirus-social-distancing-guidance

“This guidance encourages them to work from home if possible, but that will be a discussion between the individual and their employer.
More information can be found on our website at: www.llangollenhealth.com

“Very High Risk Groups:

1. Solid organ transplant recipients
2. People with specific cancers
• People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer
• People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
• People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
• People having other targeted cancer treatments, which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors.
• People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.
3. People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
4. People with severe single organ disease (e.g. Liver, Cardio, Renal, Neurological)
5. People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), homozygous sickle cell disease)
6. People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection
7. Pregnant women with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired
8. Children (up to the age of 18) with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired

“Vulnerable Groups:

1. aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
2. under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
3. chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
4. chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
5. chronic kidney disease
6. chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
7. chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
8. diabetes
9. problems with the spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
10. a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
11. being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)
12. those who are pregnant.”

* The new t-shirts which will benefit the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group.

Cat Meade, co-ordinator of the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group, posted on its Facebook page yesterday: “#LlangollenFamily T-Shirts.

“We have been working with INFINITETEE Llangollen to bring the #llangollenfamily T-Shirts. Orders now being take on their website: https://www.llangollentshirts.co.uk/

“For every Adult T-shirt purchased £4 /Children £2 will be donated to the Llangollen Support Group.

“Big thanks to Jenny Coppock and Andy Coppock”  

Roberts HomesCare yesterday posted more messages, in the form of pictures and short videos (above), from its residents at Llangollen Fechan to their friends and relatives who are unable to see them at the moment due to the lockdown.

Reacting to news which came through yesterday evening that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been moved to intensive care in the hospital where he is being treated for coronavirus Clwyd South Conservative MP Simon Baynes posted on Facebook: “Boris is a fighter - my family and I send him the Boss our very best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

 

Public Health Wales posted yesterday: “Our #Coronavirus Surveillance Cell have today launched an interactive data dashboard to enable the health system, the public and media in Wales to find out more about the virus in Wales.

* Find it at: https://www.facebook.com/PublicHealthWales/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARA8GO0qge8dqPkcK5G1cUnc_HHSnwTiq2tHp8yiuPCQpATgKrPkGEtp1k5JJJJ2oYmJ7FlcGaKMXIyl

Boris Johnson moved to intensive care

The BBC is reporting that Prime  Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care in hospital after his coronavirus symptoms "worsened", Downing Street has said.

For the full story see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52192604

Plaid calls for urgent increase in Covid-19 testing

News that councils in Wales are only being given 15 Covid-19 tests a day for key staff, including carers, has prompted calls for an urgent increase in testing.

Plaid Cymru has seen a copy of a letter from a local authority neighbouring Denbighshire to one of its local care home providers.

This says: “As you may be aware, the testing for COVID-19 for key staff has now started across Wales. ***** CBC, like all Local Authorities in Wales, have been allocated 15 tests per day.” 

Plaid’s North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd said testing was a key weapon in the against the virus and the restrictions placed on both health and care staff was causing great anxiety.

Mr Gruffydd said: "Care homes throughout Wales are looking after 20,000 of our most vulnerable citizens. There are tens of thousands of care workers who are coming into close contact with people on a daily basis and they have to be tested as much as our NHS frontline workers. If we do not increase testing significantly for all key workers, then we risk spreading the disease more than is already the case.

"It's vital that people who have got any symptoms of the virus are able to be tested promptly and get a quick diagnosis. If they're clear, they can continue in work and that's for the benefit of all. If testing shows up positive, then that would prevents them spreading the virus to others in work.

"Just 15 tests a day for every council in Wales is inadequate and I'm calling on the Welsh Government to find a way to deliver more tests for both the health and care sectors so that we can protect workers and those they're caring for alike."

Public Health Wales update - Monday

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

This statement will be updated daily at 2pm

Updated: 2:00pm Monday 6 April

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

“302 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 3,499, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher. 

“27 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 193.

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

“Public Health Wales has conducted more than 15,000 tests for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on nearly 13,000 individuals since the start of this outbreak.

“All available data relating to Coronavirus in Wales is now available on a new user-friendly data dashboard, which is available on the Public Health Wales website.

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

“We want to thank each and every person across Wales for doing their bit to help slow the spread of the virus. 

“We know that staying at home can be hard especially when the weather is nice, but members of the public must adhere to social distancing rules about staying at home, and away from others, introduced by the UK and Welsh Government.  These rules are available on the Public Health Wales website.

“People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Information about the symptoms to look out for is available on the Public Health Wales website, or members of the public can use the NHS Wales symptom checker.

“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 cases	Cumulative cases
Aneurin Bevan	79	1103
Betsi Cadwaladr	37	226
Cardiff & Vale	66	888
Cwm Taf Morgannwg	51	534
Hywel Dda	24	213
Powys	7	55
Swansea Bay	36	412
Resident outside Wales	0	27
To be confirmed	2	41
Wales total	302	3472
Total	302	3499

First Minister's coronavirus statement

The BBC is reporting this afternoon ...

First Minister Mark Drakeford has outlined the latest picture on coronavirus in Wales, during the latest daily update from the Welsh Government.

He told the briefing:

• Restrictions are beginning to affect the rates of infections - but "things will get worse before they get better"
• He has called for all four parts of the UK to come together to review rules on tackling the virus in the coming weeks
• The first minister said he believed the lockdown will need to continue after Easter: "A further period of restraint will be necessary"
• A new law on social distancing is expected to be introduced on Tuesday - but it will not be an "absolute ban" on workers being within two metres of each other
• Some issues still remained with people visiting second or holiday homes in north and west Wales over the weekend
• Chief constables have told the Welsh Government they have sufficient powers at the moment to enforce restrictions
• The First Minister sent his best wishes to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is currently being treated in hospital for coronavirus, wishing him a "a speedy recovery"

County unveils new school meals system

Denbighshire County Council is currently finalising arrangements for a new way to provide free school meals in the county.

Once a decision was made to close schools due to coronavirus, the council’s education and catering teams worked hard to put in place a way of providing free school meals to those eligible, which in Denbighshire is 3,500 children (1,900 families).

For the past two weeks, the council’s catering team provided free school meals through the key workers’ child care settings set up in many of the county’s schools.  

Those attending the sessions were able to receive a meal whilst those not attending were able to pick up packed lunches.

Now, the council is switching to a direct payments system where money allocated for school meals will be provided to parents/guardians instead of an actual school meal.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education and Public Engagement, said: “”I would like to pay tribute to the education catering and finance teams for putting the original plans in place for free school meals, once the school closure announcement was made.  

"This was a mammoth task which involved putting plans in place, informing schools and publicising the arrangements – all within a matter of days.

“We pulled out all the stops to make it happen and I’m tremendously proud of the team.

“Whilst we recognise that the previous way of providing school meals was not ideal, it was truly the best option possible, given the time-frame.

“We have also been disappointed with the low take-up of free school meals during this time, so we hope that the new system will provide reassurance that pupils are receiving meals they are entitled to."

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance said: “The Welsh Government has advised councils that the decision on how to provide free school meals rests with local authorities themselves. That is why we are now putting alternative plans in place in Denbighshire.

“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to put plans in place for the direct payments system. 

“Parents and guardians will be notified of the new way of working and we would urge them to make sure they follow our guidance, to ensure that free school meals continues to be available, albeit in a different way."

Check on emergency bus service changes

Llangollen councillor Graham Timms has supplied this summary of emergency bus service changes across the area.

Passengers are advised to check actual timetables before they travel.

* If you are a key worker or a vulnerable person experiencing problems as a result of these changes, telephone Denbighshire County Council directly on 01824 706982 or 706847.