Public Health Wales update - Easter Monday

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

This statement will be updated daily at 2pm

Updated: 2:00pm Monday 13 April

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

“313 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 5,610, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher. 

“15 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 384.

“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.

“Public Health Wales is working in partnership with the Welsh Government and the Welsh Blood Service to explore the use of convalescent plasma from people who have recovered from Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Plasma from patients who have recovered from Coronavirus will contain antibodies that their immune systems have produced to fight the virus which can be transfused to patients whose immune systems are struggling to develop their own antibodies.

“The initiative is at an early stage and we will be inviting eligible individuals by direct approach only at this stage.

“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.”

Join in the National Anthem as a coronavirus salute

* The Froncysyllte Male Voice version of the anthem on Youtube will be used to back the singing tonight.

As llanblogger reported yesterday, Llangollen's deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, is encouraging the people of the town to join in the singing of the Welsh National Anthem this evening at 8pm.

It is in honour of NHS and key workers, people affected by COVID-19, everyone in town missing their family, friends and our busy local life, and also to thank Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group.

This follows an initiative started on 23rd March by Sarah Evans, whose FB page "Sing For Wales!" now has over 105,000 followers. 

BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru are playing the backing track of the anthem at 8pm, but Cllr Richards has arranged something a little different to provide musical background for the anthem.

She said: "I've had some fantastic help from Oliver Bentley, Rachel Bentley and James Barber, of ORB Sound and Lighting fame, together with Peter Hartigan, of Sound Sensation Disco, who will be  broadcasting the anthem through loudspeakers from two locations across the town. 

"The anthem will be sung by the Froncysyllte Male Voice choir as heard in their YouTube recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2wzXpKXkoo&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0vlBFb6W8mG8hX1S_3iTAedHwsIvJEIH7vRTjHUcBkAKkthCEmKTF3s0w

"We will be singing to join together in voice at a difficult time when we must be apart due to social distancing. I hope you can take part! 

"The words of the anthem are printed below here, just the first verse and chorus, but even if you can't sing it, please listen out for the anthem across the beautiful Vale of Llangollen."

Phonetic version 

of the anthem 

Coronavirus update - Easter Monday

* A local family proudly wearing their #Llangollenfamily t-shirts.

Cat Meade, co-ordinator of the Llangollen Coronvirus Help Group, posted on Facebook yesterday: “HAPPY EASTER ALL. This morning My Son & I delivered some #llangollenfamily T-shirts. Wow they are Fab, we had ours today too.

“Please get your T-shirts to support our Group - £4 for every adult and £2 every child goes to the support group!

“Would also like a big #llangollenfamily party after this with us all in these tops. What a pic that would be.”

The t-shirts can be ordered at: https://www.llangollentshirts.co.uk/

* Care worker Lynne wearing one of the donated visors.

Also yesterday the team at The Old Vicarage care home took to Facebook to thank a local church for providing their staff with personal protection visors.

Together with a picture of one of the team wearing one of the face-guards, they said: “With thanks to CITY CHURCH for providing us and other local care homes with visors.

“We’re so proud of our community and the joint efforts everyone is making - it’s been overwhelming to see how kind people can be. Thankfully we are all well and in high spirits, we hope you are too! Keep smiling,

“Here’s Lynne giving you a virtual hug to say thanks.”

* Father Lee with the Easter flame.

Llangollen vicar, Father Lee Taylor, was alone when he conducted his Easter Sunday service at St Collen’s yesterday morning and once again streamed it live on Facebook to his usual congregation and beyond.

A centrepiece of the altar area until after the current crisis is over, he said, will be the Easter flame brought into church the previous evening.

This will remain lit as a symbol of hope until the lockdown ends and he added that Easter would be celebrated properly then.

During the service he prayed for the sick and those who had lost their lives to coronavirus, either alone or in hospital.

Public Health Wales update - Easter Sunday

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

This statement will be updated daily at 2pm

Updated: 2:00pm Sunday 11 April

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

“367 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 5,297, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.  

“18 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 369.

“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 local update - Easter Sunday

* Wrexham hospital staff wearing their face masks made by the schools. 

The design department staff at Ysgol Dinas Bran who are making face masks to protect frontline NHS staff from coronavirus came in for warm thanks from one of them on Facebook yesterday.

As llanblogger reported recently, the inventive team have set up a mini-production line in their homes to produce the visors, turning out a large number so far.

Their action has been repeated by a number of schools across the region.  

Along with a picture, Megan Derbyshire-Styles from the children’s ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital posted: “Would just like to say a massive thank you to Prestatyn High School and Ysgol Dinas Bran for donating our visors and mask grips. We at children’s ward Wrexham are very grateful for all the help and support.”

After the latest successful online raffle to back local businesses hit by the lockdown yesterday Cat Meade, co-ordinator of the Lllangollen Coronavirus Help Group which is organising them, posted on Facebook: “£75 Raised on Raffles for #llangollensupportgroup. Thank you.”

* Shea sings for his home audience from the back of a truck. 

Shea Ferron, the talented young singer who often performs for audiences in Llangollen venues, was at home yesterday evening delighting his near neighbours with a rousing selection of songs belted out from the back of a pick-up truck on his driveway.

They gathered around to clap and cheer his performance which was also streamed live on his Facebook page to a large and appreciative online audience.

Putting out a call for requests, he had earlier posted: “I will be doing a concert on the street in Pont Adam to entertain you all living nearby.

“This means we can all come together sitting out on our driveways and having some fun during these really horrible times.”

* The MPs' letter in support of dairy farmers.

Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South, posted yesterday that, along with other Welsh MPs, he had written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, to ask him to intervene and support dairy farmers struggling during the Covid-19 crisis.

Mr Baynes said: “Farmers are doing tremendous work keeping us going during this crisis. It's so important we get this right and support them so we can all get through this together.”

* A police officer surveys an empty north Wales coastline.

Meanwhile, North Wales Police used Facebook to post yet, together of a picture of them on patrol on an empty stretch of coast, another reminder that travelling is for essential reasons only during the lockdown.

They reassured: “Officers are on duty across the region, please don't be alarmed if you are stopped for a friendly chat. This is all to help #ProtectOurNHS.”

Deputy mayor urges people to sing for those hit by virus

* A patriotic Cllr Issy Richards with town clerk Gareth

 Thomas at the opening of Centenary Square in July 2018.

Llangollen’s deputy mayor is encouraging people to join her in singing the Welsh national anthem tomorrow (Monday) evening to honour of all those affected by COVID-19.

At towns and villages across Wales are being encouraged to join together in communally belting out Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau at 8pm.

And Cllr Issy Richards reckons the talented people of Llangollen are more than capable of raising the roof in such a good cause.

She explained: “Caerphilly resident Sarah Evans began a campaign on Facebook on 23rd March, inviting everyone in Wales to stand on their doorsteps or lean out of windows on Monday to belt out the Welsh National Anthem.

“Her FB page now has over 105,000 followers from all over the world and she also has many followers on Twitter.

“Here in Llangollen, most of us have all been outside clapping for the NHS and key workers on a Thursday night. It's wonderful to hear community spirit in action.”

She added: “Monday night marks three weeks since social distancing began, and it's not been easy. We miss our families and friends, we miss our colleagues, we miss our bustling town, its shops, cafes and businesses, and we miss our visitors!

“So on Monday evening, let's show how grateful and proud we are in Llangollen, let's sing for our amazing NHS and all key workers, for those still working and keeping our country going, for all the children missing their friends, activities and their school, for everyone staying safely at home, for all those missing their families and friends and, finally, for our fantastic Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group, and all those helping our community in any way.

“BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru are supporting the event by playing a backing track at 8pm, but I think we can do better than that in Llangollen, and I hope to make an exciting announcement very soon.

“We will be printing the words on Monday,  but whether you know the words or not, you can still take part, even wave a flag, wear a rugby jersey or football shirt, and enjoy the moment together.

“Stay safe, cadwch yn ddiogel!”

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.”