Covid-19 vaccine to be rolled out across Wales from today

The first COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled-out across Wales from today (Tuesday), the Welsh Government has confirmed.

Wales was the first country in the world to receive supplies of the vaccine last week, and has today become one of the first to begin protecting people against coronavirus.

The Welsh Government and NHS have been preparing for today since June.

The start of the vaccination programme comes just days after the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the first Covid-19 vaccine for use in the UK, confirming its safety and effectiveness for mass vaccination centre use, based on a detailed independent expert review of the results of largescale clinical trials.

Some 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available across the UK, with Wales getting its allocation based on its population. In the first wave of vaccine deliveries, Wales will receive almost 40,000 doses, enough for nearly 20,000 people.

All health boards will start administering vaccines to care home staff, those over 80 years and frontline health and social care workers most at risk – over 6000 doses will be given by the end of this week.

Despite the specific storage and preparation challenges posed by the vaccine, work continues to ensure a safe deployment of effective vaccine to care home residents.

First Minister Mark Drakeford, said: “Last week, Wales was the first country in the world to receive supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine. Today, I’m very proud Wales has become one of the first countries in the world to begin the roll-out of the vaccine to its population.

“2020 has been a very difficult year for all of us. This vaccine is a small glimmer of light at the end of what has been a long and dark tunnel.

“But the fact we have a vaccine does not mean we can stop doing those things that keep us safe. We must all continue to do our bit to prevent the spread of coronavirus: regular hand washing, social distancing, and wearing a face covering where required to protect yourself and others.”

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Vaccines can take many years, even decades, to develop. The fact that a safe and effective vaccine has been developed in less than year is a remarkable tribute to all scientists and researchers around the world who have worked so hard to find a vaccine for COVID-19.

“We have been working really hard to plan for its arrival. Today, the first people in Wales will receive the vaccine. This is the positive news we have all been waiting for.

“We will now do everything we can to ensure we successfully deliver the COVID-19 vaccine across Wales in the days, weeks and months ahead.”

SM impressed by progress of new Corwen station

* Mark Isherwood SM, left, with project leader Richard Dixon-Gough at the new Corwen station.

The Covid-19 pandemic has not prevented progress on an "exciting" Denbighshire rail project which is on track to be completed next year, according to North Wales Senedd Member Mark Isherwood.

Mr Isherwood has supported Llangollen Railway’s Corwen Station Project from the start and followed progress with regular visits.

On Friday he made his latest visit and was impressed by all that has been achieved since he was last there in February.

He said: “I always enjoy my visits to Llangollen Railway’s Corwen Station Project and each time I am amazed and impressed by the extent of the development of the platform and facilities, and this time was no different.

“I was last there at the beginning of the year, and what has been achieved since then, in the midst of a pandemic, is incredible. 

"The island platform is essentially now complete with its block paving surface, and the historic columns and steel work for the waiting room are all in place, along with heritage items with the name board and lamp posts. There is further work to complete in the new year, but they are on course with everything.

“All the volunteers, staff and supporters involved deserve huge praise for what has been achieved, particularly in these challenging times. I am now looking forward to prospects for the station opening in 2021 and revisiting to see the finished article.”

Richard Dixon-Gough, Corwen Project leader, said: "We are pleased that Mark was able to find the time to visit the station site for a catch-up with the work completed during 2020, despite the limitations imposed by Covid-19, and his appreciation of the work undertaken by our volunteers and the financial help from our many supporters."

During Mr Isherwood’s visit, the railway's financial position and the need for support was also discussed.

He said: “Although Covid-19 coronavirus restrictions are preventing Llangollen Railway from receiving any income, it is still having to find £40,000 every month to pay for its ongoing overheads.

“It has been an extremely challenging year for them and I therefore encourage people to support them. Donations to safeguard and support this wonderful heritage railway can be made to the Llangollen Railway Trust and shares in the Railway can also be acquired.”

* The online appeal can be accessed by visiting: https://llangollenrailway.enthuse.com/cf/covid-19-appeal

Latest pandemic updates from Welsh Government

 

Latest coronavirus updates from the Welsh Government are:

• Guidance on Christmas bubbles: https://gov.wales/making-christmas-bubble-friends-and-family
• The Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund is providing essential support to theatres, music venues, heritage sites, libraries, museums, galleries, archive services and independent cinemas, right across Wales: https://gov.wales/cultural-recovery-fund-essential-support-making-difference
• The Welsh Government has announced plans for the safe return of students to Welsh universities after the Christmas break.
• Students will be invited to return to campus over a four week period, starting from 11 January, with a phased return to in-person teaching. Universities will prioritise students who most need to return early, such as those studying in healthcare professions, those on placements or who need access to campus facilities. 
• https://gov.wales/plans-safe-return-students-welsh-universities-new-year
• Guidance: https://gov.wales/managed-movement-students-person-teaching-and-learning-january
• A Technical Advisory Group report about the pre-Christmas non-pharmaceutical interventions, which includes a section about hospitality, is published today: https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-statement-regarding-non-pharmaceutical-interventions-pre-christmas-period  

 

• Technical Advisory Group report Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, Saunas and Steam Rooms and Risks from Covid-19: https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-swimming-pools-hot-tubs-saunas-and-steam-rooms-and-risk-covid-19 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 2,021 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 91,013 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Sadly, there were two further deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 2,711.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary 
• Public Health Wales is publishing the bi-weekly local authority review of coronavirus cases, which includes details of infection rates in people under 25 and over 60 – the report is available under the local authority tab on the surveillance dashboard: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

• The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for 14 days from when your symptoms started.
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus. You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test
• You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.
• Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus#section-38136 

Where to find the latest information

• Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance  

• Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://covid19-phwstatement.nhs.wales/
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
• If you can help the effort to produce PPE in Wales please visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/news/provision-critical-equipment-and-personal-protection-equipment-ppe
• The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

o   Health Minister Vaughan Gething held today’s press conference. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1335920979847987201

o   Slides from the press conference are available at: https://gov.wales/slides-and-datasets-minister-health-and-social-services-coronavirus-briefing-7-december-2020

 

Railway's bridge appeal hits its £15,000 target

 

* Thanks to a successful appeal Dee Bridge can now be repaired.

The appeal to raise enough cash to repair a Victorian bridge vital to the running Llangollen Railway has reached its target.

As llanblogger revealed in October, the railway put out an urgent call to its supporters for £15,000 to revive Dee Bridge, built in 1865 and now in desperate need of new timbers if it is to continue to carry services over it next year.

In a Facebook post fundraising officer Paul Bailey said at the time: "If we are to run trains over the Dee Bridge next year we first have to renew the timbers on the bridge.

"This work, including purchasing the timbers, is costing £15,000 - monies the railway currently has not got.

"We have therefore launched an appeal to raise these monies without which we will not be able to carry out the necessary repairs to run train services in 2021."

Now a railway spokesperson says Mr Bailey has announced the total was reached last Friday and already been used to pay for 18 new lengths of profiled timbers for the bridge repairs.

The spokesperson added: “This past week has seen a volunteer workforce lift the track from the three-span bridge and remove the old timbers ready for a reassembly exercise in the new year.”

More funding to help people with Rent to Own scheme

An extra £5million has been secured for an assisted home ownership scheme in Denbighshire.

Denbighshire County Council administers the Rent to Own grant for Welsh Government, a scheme which supports applicants who do not have the minimum five per cent deposit to buy a home, but are otherwise able to access a mortgage.

The scheme in Denbighshire, which is operated through Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), was initially allocated £1.8m over a three-year period between 2018 – 2021 and due to the success of the scheme in the county, an additional £5.8m has been secured from Welsh Government.

The funding is used by RSLs to build new homes specifically for the Rent to Own Scheme and currently includes new build sites in Rhyl, Rhuddlan, Meliden, St Asaph, Denbigh and Llanfair DC.

Cllr Tony Thomas, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Rent to Own provides a fantastic opportunity for Denbighshire residents to get on the housing ladder and contributes to our priority of providing homes that meet the needs of our residents.

“Securing an extra £5.8m to develop the scheme shows what a success this has been in the county and will make a real difference to the number of houses that can be created.

“The Council is also continuing to work with RSLs and private developers to ensure there is suitable affordable housing in the county, as well as progressing with our own programme of building council homes.”

Applicants rent one of the new build properties and after a period of up to five years they buy the property, with 25 per cent of the rent paid being returned to the applicant as a deposit for the home. 

The scheme has proved very popular in Denbighshire with a total of 99 new build properties being made available between 2018 and 2022.

These properties are in addition to properties secured for affordable or social housing through the planning process and also complements the 24 council houses being built on land above Tan y Sgubor, Denbigh, the first new council homes to be designed and built for the Denbighshire area in 30 years.

A total of 139 affordable homes were also provided in the county by private developers and RSLs including Cartrefi Conwy, Grŵp Cynefin, Clwyd Alyn and Wales & West between April 2019 and March 2020.

As part of the Rent to Own scheme there are two bedroom and three bedroom properties available under the scheme, applicants need to have a household income of between £18,000 to £60,000 to be eligible.

* Those interested in the scheme should contact Tai Teg on 03456 015 605 or info@taiteg.org.uk

St Collen's stages successful Christmas Fayre

* Parishioner John Jones sells raffles tickets.

* Bargain hunters check out the stalls inside the church.

St Collen's Church held its annual Christmas Fayre yesterday morning.

Due to coronavirus restrictions it moved from its traditional venue at the Town Hall to the church itself, where stalls were set up to sell fancy goods and home-made cakes.

Turkey burgers, expertly cooked by Fabiano Silva, and other refreshments were on sale inside a socially-distanced parish centre.

The morning, for which people all turned up wearing masks, ended with the drawing of two raffles by the vicar, Father Lee Taylor, with many valuable prizes being won.

£10m boost to transform Welsh towns

The Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government has announced a £10m funding boost for town centres, under the £90m Transforming Towns programme, to support businesses and increase vibrancy and footfall in towns across Wales.

The loan scheme will support local authorities to reduce the number of vacant, under-utilised and redundant sites and premises in town centres by providing interest free loans to redevelop or refurbish sites. 

The properties will be redeveloped as shops, homes and leisure facilities, with loans being recycled up to three times over a 15 year period. Once repaid they can be used again to fund new loans and be re-invested in similar projects.

As part of the Welsh Government’s overall investment of £41.6m previous successful projects include Tramshed in Cardiff, Tŷ Castell in Caernarfon and the Magistrates court in Newtown.

The Tramshed in Grangetown Cardiff, which acts as a hub for other local businesses and has fully repaid it’s loan of £500,000, used the funding to create hundreds of jobs, accommodated 25 enterprises, created 7,500 sq ft of business space, supported over 40 community events annually, and increased footfall by 25,000 people per year.

Local authorities funded through this year’s round of applications include: 

* £840,000 for Flintshire

* £500,000 for Wrexham.

The Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn said: “This Transforming Towns loan scheme highlights the Welsh Government’s commitment to revitalising our town centres and putting their health and vibrancy at the centre of everything we do. These loans supports activities that generate footfall, tackle empty sites and premises and support businesses to grow and prosper.

“The way we use our town centres has changed and many towns are struggling in the wake of declining retail sales. Whilst businesses across our towns and on our high streets have faced challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, we have also seen a positive shift towards shopping local. I hope that this funding will enable this shift to continue and become embedded in how we shop and use our towns in the years to come.”

This funding is part of the Welsh Government’s total investment of £900m for regeneration projects alongside key partners.