Public Health Wales update - Saturday

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

This statement will be updated daily at 2pm

Updated: 2:30pm Saturday 11 April

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

“340 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 4,930, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.  

“36 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 351.

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

“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.

“Public Health Wales is working to address the negative impact of COVID-19 on the social, mental and physical wellbeing of people in Wales. The new ‘How are you doing?’ campaign is now live and offering practical advice from phw.nhs.wales/howareyoudoing. 

“As part of our efforts to continually expand testing, there is now a Deloitte testing facility operational at Cardiff City Stadium. This is part of the UK-wide plan to test key workers. In Wales this has been led by Public Health Wales, Welsh Government, the Local Resilience Forum, and Deloitte. Please note that the facility is for key workers and you should only attend if invited.

“Public Health Wales is working with Deloitte to integrate reporting systems so they can be included in Public Health Wales’ data dashboard.

“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.”

Coronavirus update - Easter Saturday

* A screenshot from the Ysgol Bryn Collen fitness video. 

As the Easter holiday began yesterday Cat Meade, co-ordinator of the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group, posted on Facebook that the hard-working team of volunteers were taking a break until Tuesday when they would be back ready to help the community through lockdown.

One of the key volunteers was about and about early on Good Friday delivering urgent medication.

And as he passed over the bridge Mike Connolly shot a quick video, panning round to show how eerily quiet the town was in contrast to how it usually is on a bank holiday.

Cat posted: “Happy Good Friday to you all.

“Let’s spend this weekend being grateful for what we have, our loved ones, our friends, our health, our community, sunshine.

“It is easy to lose sight of the most precious things in life with our busy days, weeks rolling into months ... catch up on Facebook, call, write a letter, tell that person what they mean to you, let’s take a positive from all of this, keep smiling.

“What a FANTASTIC scene Llangollen set last night for the 8pm Clap. What a Town! Music from all around was. Awesome.

“Our Volunteers are all taking a break until Tuesday and well deserved Please only call if urgent, we all need to recharge and will be back ready to help from Tuesday.

“There are still a few Light Sabres at Newsagents in Castle Street, get them ready for next Thursday.

“Orders still being taken for #llangollenfamily tshirts.

“Happy Easter Everyone, Enjoy.”

* Mike Connolly's video shows an eerily quiet lockdown Llangollen.

As he posted his video, Mike Connolly wrote: “Feeling proud in Llangollen.

“Out early Thursday morning delivering urgently needed meds. Not a soul to be seen.”

Another video was posted yesterday by Ronnie Louise Medri showing how people were keeping occupied during the lockdown.

She wrote: “The staff at Ysgol Bryn Collen are missing all of our children and parents.

“We know that our community is missing us too so we have put together a Fitness Frenzy video for you to follow at home.

“Please show it to your children and share so that all of our pupils and families are able to be positive and feel a little bit together whilst we are apart. #GoBrynCollen

Meanwhile, Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes posted the letter (above) he had sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he was gripped by the virus.

He said: “Very pleased Boris is out of ICU and we all wish him a speedy recovery and a Happy Easter. This is the letter I sent him earlier in the week with best wishes from my constituents and his many friends in Clwyd South.

The vicar, Father Lee Taylor, returned to Facebook to live stream the Good Friday service from St Collen’s during the afternoon.

There are further streamed services this weekend at: https://www.facebook.com/LlanGroupChurches/.

Public Health Wales - Friday update

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

This statement will be updated daily at 2pm

Updated: 2:00pm Friday 10 April

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

“502 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 4,591, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher. 

“29 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 315.

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

“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.

“As part of our efforts to continually expand testing, there is now a Deloitte testing facility operational at Cardiff City Stadium. This is part of the UK-wide plan to test key workers.  In Wales this has been led by Public Health Wales, Welsh Government, the Local Resilience Forum, and Deloitte. Please note that the facility is for key workers and you should only attend if invited.

“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.”

Council thanks business for donation of protective masks

* Staff at Gorwel Newydd Extra Care Scheme
 who will be some of the recipients of the masks.
The picture was taken before social
distancing measures were brought in. 

A significant number of protective masks have been donated to Denbighshire County Council by a St Asaph firm.

The face masks have been donated by Qioptiq and were delivered to the council by Vale of Clwyd MP James Davies who helped organise the donation.

The masks will be used by the council’s social care workers including those in residential and nursing care homes, domiciliary workers and social workers while a number were also donated to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Cllr Bobby Feeley, the council’s Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “I would like to thank Qioptiq and James Davies on behalf of the Council and all of our staff in social care.

“This donation will protect our key workers and vulnerable residents across the county. This is a fantastic example of our community working together and supporting each other during this difficult time.

“It is encouraging to see a local business rallying round to help key workers deliver essential services which are helping protect lives.

“We are sourcing protective equipment from a number of sources and donations like this help ensure we have a good supply of equipment moving forward.”

Dr Davies said: “I wish to thank the company for the generous donation. Our frontline staff are doing truly amazing work in this moment of national emergency.”

Peter White, Managing Director, Qioptiq Ltd and Vice President Excelitas Land Equipment, said:  “We are delighted to support health and social care professionals from our local community in the battle to contain the Covid19 virus. Our thoughts are with them and everyone affected.”

Stay Home, Stay Safe – Minister for North Wales

* Ken Skates AM.

As we approach the Easter weekend the message from Minister for North Wales Ken Skates is clear – stay home and stay safe.

He said: “This Easter will be very different to the holiday weekends we have enjoyed in the past.  Normally North Wales would be preparing to welcome visitors from near and far, but this year we are dealing with the covid-19 pandemic and the message is clear – stay home. “Accommodation, pubs, restaurants and tourist attractions across the region are closed.  We have taken action to close caravan, holiday parks and campsites, and we’ve given national parks and local authorities the power to close footpaths.  “This unprecedented action has been taken to save lives.  These measures will only succeed if we all follow the guidelines and stay at home.  We all have a responsibility to ensure we do not spread the virus and put lives in danger. “It may be difficult but we must continue to comply this Easter weekend and stay at home. “This is the best way to show our support for the NHS, emergency services and other key workers.  This has been the clear message from across the public sector in Wales including North Wales Police and the Snowdonia National Park. “Thank you for staying at home.”  Michael Bewick, the Chair of the North Wales Tourism Forum said we must comply with the Government’s regulations. “As the Director of an attraction and the Chair of the North Wales Tourism Forum, asking people not to visit is unbelievable, but we are living in a period of national emergency. “Every attraction in North Wales is closed, our principal mountains and beaches are closed and our towns and villages are to all extent and purposes closed. This is going to be an extremely challenging time for the tourism sector. “I’m sure that I can speak on behalf of the whole sector when I thank people for staying away, for staying at their main home and by saying that we very much look forward to welcoming you back to North Wales – in the future.”

Public Health Wales coronavirus update - Thursday

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

This statement will be updated daily at 2pm

Updated: 2:00pm Thursday 9 April

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

“Due to a change in our reporting process, today we are reporting a lower than usual number of new cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales.

“Today’s figures reflect a much shorter period of six hours of testing.  Case numbers will return to normal on Friday, as we return to 24 hour reporting.

“16 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 4,089, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher. 

“41 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 286.

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

“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.

“As part of our efforts to continually expand testing, there is now a Deloitte testing facility operational at Cardiff City Stadium. This is part of the UK-wide plan to test key workers.  In Wales this has been led by Public Health Wales, Welsh Government, the Local Resilience Forum, and Deloitte. Please note that the facility is for key workers and you should only attend if invited.

“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.”

Temporary mortuary site announced

Breaking news

The Daily Post is reporting this morning (Thursday) that plans for North Wales' first temporary mortuary catering for a potentially steep rise in deaths from coronavirus have been unveiled.

The industrial units on Mochdre Commerce Park have been earmarked as a "respectful and dignified holding point before funerals take place", if hospitals and funeral directors become unable to cope with the number of Covid-19- related deaths.

The decision was taken by the North Wales Local Resilience Forum, a body comprising local authorities, Welsh Government, emergency services and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.