A Covid-19 contact Tracer tells her story

 * Emer O'Connor is working as a contact tracer in Denbighshire. 

A team of staff at Denbighshire County Council are helping the national efforts to tackle covid-19 by working as contact tracers, as part of the Welsh Test, Trace and Protect (TTP) programme.

The team are provided with details of any confirmed or suspected cases locally and then have the role of tracing people who may have come into contact with the individual.

One of the contact tracing team members is Emer O'Connor.  

Emer’s normally works as a planning officer and her role involves evaluating plans for new developments, visiting sites, liaising with consultees and assessing compliance with the Denbighshire Local Development Plan.

Emer’s said: "I volunteered to work on the TTP team at the end of May, as the council were looking to put together a group of people to work on contact tracing for Covid 19. My manager was keen to support the multi-service TTP effort and I felt it would be an interesting and worthy piece of work to help out with. 

“On a daily basis the council are notified of the individuals within the area who have tested positive for Covid 19 by Public Health Wales. 

"The contact tracers’ job is to phone these individuals, going through their Covid 19 symptoms or testing timeline to ascertain when they may have been infectious. We then trace their activities and the people who they have been in close contact with during the infectious period. 

"We record their contacts and note any significant trends in locations or activities. We advise the individuals of their self-isolation time-scale and provide them with general good hygiene advice and ensure they understand and are equipped for self-isolation, signposting to other help and services as required. Once we have uploaded their data onto the TTP system it is passed on to the contact advisors.

“I have been redeployed to TTP full time for a few months so luckily I have not had to juggle two workloads, as that would have been quite a challenge.  

"For me the pressure comes from knowing that contact tracing has to be done promptly and well after testing. We have to try to get people talk fairly openly and reveal as much relevant information at possible. 

"Recording and finding their contacts in order to ask them to self-isolate is the key to limit the spread of the virus in the community by breaking the link in transmission.

“The team have been great to work with, we are lucky that the group has come from a range of backgrounds  across the council so the skill and information base is varied. Communications within the team and our supporters, the experts in in Public Protection has also been fantastic, this has helped tremendously.

“TTP has been in operation for a number of weeks now and the reaction has been resoundingly positive. People seem to understand the importance of TTP in trying to get the virus under control regardless of whether they are quite poorly or completely asymptomatic.

“I have nothing but admiration for the real life-savers working on the frontline through the pandemic. There are so many other key workers, including council staff, who have had to adapt and deal with so many challenges since March. 

"I am pleased to be able to help out in a very small way, knowing TTP is an effective way to reduce the spread of the virus, enabling us all to take another step towards normality. 

"Everyone is probably aware by now if they test positive for Covid 19 they will have to self-isolate for seven days, so my message is if you test positive please prepare for your TTP call.

"Try and think of where you have been and who you have seen, even write it down as we will ask for names and phone numbers. As Wales opens up in the coming weeks you might have quite a few contacts so if you test positive help us out by thinking ahead to our call."

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “Emer is part of a team of contact tracers who are doing a great job working on the Test, Trace and Protect programme in Denbighshire.  

"This is a vital piece of work in the fight against covid-19 in our communities and the effort in Denbighshire is reflected nationally in counties across Wales.

“We all have a role to play in reducing the spread of the virus, protecting people and keeping Wales safe and this is where we need the public’s support. If anyone is contacted by the contact tracing team, they need to follow the advice given and provide the information that’s requested. 

"We’ve had a great response from the general public so far and this ensures we can do all we can to trace those people that have been in contact with suspected or confirmed cases.

“We are so proud of the work of the contact tracing teams, as well as teams right across the council for playing their part in the efforts to tackle Covid-19. Many are working in roles that are very different from their day jobs.  

"The whole team in Denbighshire has pulled together and everyone is providing great support to the local and regional efforts, whatever their role."

Minister lays out timetable for hospitality industry re-opening

The Welsh Government has told bars, restaurants and cafes with outdoor space to prepare to re-open from July 13.

International Relations Minister Eluned Morgan told today's press conference in Cathays Park that the first phase of the hospitality industry reopening was likely to start from Monday, July 13, if the rate of coronavirus infections continued to fall.

She also laid out a revised plan for allowing self-contained holiday accommodation to reopen, bringing forward the proposed date to Saturday, July 11 to enable that weekend's bookings to go ahead.

* For the full story, see: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/pubs-bars-restaurants-coronavirus-reopening-18528336

MS raises plight of B&B owners in Senedd

After making repeated calls in recent weeks for the Welsh Government to support small Bed and Breakfast businesses in North Wales during the Covid-19 crisis, North Wales Senedd Member Mark Isherwood has appealed to those in power to provide them with a message of hope.

Mr Isherwood has been fighting to get B&Bs the financial support he says they desperately need but so far without success.

Taking part in a virtual plenary meeting of the Welsh Parliament he raised their plight again and make fresh calls for Welsh Government support.  

He said:  “Although small Bed and Breakfasts are a mainstay of local tourism economies across North Wales they're ineligible for the Welsh Government's £10,000 Business Grant.

“When I raised this with the Economy Minister, he referred to the eligibility checker for the second phase of the Economic Resilience Fund. When it opened, they were ineligible.

“When I questioned him about this, he said he would have to understand why. I therefore wrote to him with their evidence.

“In his reply he said “the support package in Wales is the most comprehensive and generous in the UK”, yet grants are available to B&B operators in England and Scotland who do not qualify for other Covid-19 grant support, but operators in Wales have been denied equivalent grants.

“What, therefore, is your message for the genuine B&B business operators who have told me their finances have now run out and they can't go on any longer? I hope it's one of hope.”

In his response, the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, told Mr Isherwood that he would be “happy to review the situation” and would be very interested in seeing examples of the businesses that have approached him so that officials could talk to them about how their needs could be met more effectively.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood said: “I will provide the Deputy Minister with examples, as I did with the Economy Minister, Ken Skates, but these businesses do not have time on their side. They need support quickly if they are to have any chance of surviving this pandemic."

Wales & West trains performed "better than planned" says report

Network Rail’s Wales & Western region has delivered better than planned passenger and freight train performance for operators over the last year and exceeded its efficiency savings, according to a new report published by the Office of Rail and Road today.

The rail regulator’s annual assessment of Network Rail found that delays to passenger trains attributed to its Wales & Western region – which extends from London Paddington to Penzance via Reading, Swindon, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth as well as to Cardiff and Swansea – were lower than expected with 1.62 minutes of delay per 100km of train travel against the forecast level of 1.88 minutes of delay per 100km of train travel. 

Passenger performance was better on its Western route – with Network Rail delivering its best train service for a decade, for all operators – compared to its Wales route, which was severely impacted by bad weather.  The region also delivered good levels of performance for freight operators.  

The annual assessment of Network Rail also found that its Wales & Western region delivered its planned renewals work while exceeding its target (£42m) for efficiency savings by £8m, contributing £50m to Network Rail’s overall efficiency improvements of £385m in the first year of control period 6 (CP6). 

The region’s health and safety performance was mixed; while lost time to worker injury improved, level crossing risk has slightly risen due the increasing numbers of trains and crossing users.  

John Larkinson, Chief Executive, ORR said: “Passenger and freight performance has been better than the levels forecast and its Western route achieved its best train service delivery for a decade.

“But its Wales route needs to improve on its performance with delays caused by Network Rail leading to worse than expected performance.

“The region has delivered strongly on efficiency in the first year of its five year plan, with savings above target, which is good news for taxpayers and passengers.

“We set Network Rail nationally a £3.5bn efficiency improvement challenge over five years and the Wales & Western region has made a good start in contributing to these savings.” 

Pubs and restaurants with outdoor spaces can re-open, says BBC story

According to a BBC story yesterday, some pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in Wales will be able to reopen outdoors from 13 July, under new Welsh Government plans.

Venues will be able to open in spaces they own and have licences for - as long as coronavirus cases continue to fall.

But indoor services will remain closed for now, despite industry pressure.

* For the full story, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-53247660

Meanwhile, more Llangollen businesses are making plans to re-open after lockdown.

* One of the famous horses is reshod at Llangollen Wharf.

Llangollen Wharp posted on Facebook: "We are very pleased to say we are nearly there. The boys have been having their shoes on today ready to start work on Monday 6th July. 

"We have deep cleaned the boats and marked out the spaces inside so we can ensure social distancing. We have carried out a full risk assessment to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. 

"The capacity of the boats will be reduced so we will be running 6 trips a day hourly from 11am last trip 4pm. Sanitizer will be available and the boats will be cleaned in between trips.

"We would prefer for you to book in advance by phoning us on 01978 860702 so we can monitor the numbers at the Wharf. We look forward to seeing you all next week."

Orb Sound and Lighting posted: "

As we're all aware, upcoming events have sadly had to be cancelled/postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So with some unexpected time on our hands, ORB have adapted and are offering the following services:

➡️PA installations (indoor and outdoor)
➡️Lighting installations (indoor and outdoor)
➡️CCTV installation
➡️IT networking and WIFI
➡️Live Streaming
➡️PAT testing
➡️Equipment repairs/servicing

"Feel free to get in touch to discuss any of the above with us.
We'll always do our best to find the right products and service to suit your needs.

"Email: info@orb-sl.co.uk
Phone: 07814651515."

And Kelly's Chippy posted: "We’re now opening Thursday evenings too! Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings 4pm-8.30pm for collections only."

Saturday waste service "will come back" says council chief

* The Pavilion car park where the Saturday waste service has been located. 

A former Llangollen county councillor has been given a firm assurance by a top council official that the Saturday morning domestic waste collection service at the Pavilion car park will return following its lockdown withdrawal.

The “pop-up” facility for local residents to dump their waste in council refuse trucks parked there rather than having to journey over to Ruthin was introduced some years ago after the closure of the old waste site off the A539.

But it became one of the first casualties of the withdrawal of county services when the Covid-19 crisis began three months ago.

Since then there have been many complaints from Llangollen residents about the lack of this basic facility, leaving them with the only alternative of a long drive to Ruthin as Wrexham Council has said it will not allow them to use its waste site at Plas Madoc.

Denbighshire has said on a number of occasions that the service cannot be re-introduced because of the coronavirus health risk to its employees. But it has committed to keeping the situation under review.

The fight was taken up by former Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies who organised a social media poll which showed a majority in favour of a swift return of the service.

He has also fired off a series of emails to council officers calling for the return of the facility.

One of his latest notes prompted a response – forwarded by Mr Davies to llanblogger – from a senior council officer.

Part of this said that bulky waste collection would be the next thing on the list of services that the council would be looking to resume. 

Once the council had been able to do that, it would review the position with the pop-up recycling in the Dee Valley. 

The official assures Mr Davies the council was not looking to keep the facility closed, adding: "We have always intended to bring it back as soon as it is possible to do so, and that is still our intention.”

In a further email to Mr Davies the official says in bold letters: “It will come back.”

Have your say on town centre openings

* Llangolen town centre is emerging from the lockdown.

A survey has now been arranged to capture the views of businesses and consumers in town centres across Denbighshire, a week after some shops opened their doors.

Earlier this month, Denbighshire County Council announced that a Task Group had been set up to support town centre businesses during and after the re-opening of shops, working jointly with business associations and local communities. 

The Council also has teams out and about in our main town centres, monitoring compliance with safety guidelines, as well as offering practical support to businesses, such as signage or posters.

Now, the Council has produced a short survey to find out how businesses and visitors/ residents found the re-opening experience. The feedback will be fed into discussions about what steps the Council and its partners will take next.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, who is also the Cabinet Lead Member for the Economy, said: “For more than three months, town centres - the heart of many of our communities - stood still and quiet, with businesses closed and visitors and locals alike asked to stay at home and away from others until things became better. 

“The easing of restrictions on town centre businesses is a step in the right direction and the Council is delighted to be working with the business associations and communities across Denbighshire to ensure the re-introduction of services is running smoothly. Feedback to date has been really positive and the support will go-on as business continue to get back on their feet.

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “Listening to the views of businesses and consumers is vital as we work together to promote the local economy.

“We recognise that many businesses and  communities have felt relieved and excited at the prospect of businesses opening up, with others feeling  anxious or apprehensive about the thought of returning to work or visiting a town centre - even if it's essential.

“It’s all about having a proper dialogue with people so that we can assist town centres to settle into the new ways of working and assisting the efforts to protect our communities”.

* The survey can be found at: https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/