Town mayor sends out New Year message of hope

* The mayor, Cllr Austin Cheminais.

Llangollen will "rise like a phoenix" into the new year after the tribulations of 2020, says the town's mayor. 

In a positive message to residents as 2021 dawns, Councillor Austin Cheminais says: "What can you say about 2020?

"It’s summed up perhaps by some of the words that we’ve learned use over the last nine months self-isolating, pandemic, quarantine, lockdown, support bubble, social distancing. 

"Let’s hope that a new, more positive and optimistic vocabulary emerges as we move into 2021.

"Covid 19 has surely tested our resilience!

"All our lives have been affected and changed by the pandemic and our thoughts and prayers go out to those families and friends who have lost loved ones, and those who continue to endure separation, illness, and job losses.

"Thank you to our amazing NHS, the emergency services, our health centre staff, care providers, shop workers and those involved in the many other essential public services that we now appreciate more than ever.

"What 2020 has demonstrated is that that our community is resilient, resourceful and caring.

"Llangollen’s relentless community spirit has brought out the best in us. Thank you for all your kindnesses big and small."

He adds: "A special thanks to those individuals who have stepped up and taken a lead and have mobilised and organised us to help.

"Many of you have volunteered and have shopped for each other, delivered medicines and meals.

"You have checked-in on each other, walked your neighbour’s dogs and crossed the road to let others walk safely.

"All without self-reward, only seeking to make life a little safer and better for those that need help!

"Thank you!

"Llangollen is a special place and it is a privilege to be part of the community. We should be proud and honoured that so many people from all over the world want to come and share our town with us.

"We will emerge Phoenix like in 2021. There are great days ahead, so let's get ready to greet our visitors and show them what a fantastic place Llangollen is.

"I look forward to the future with hope and optimism and to welcoming the World back to our wonderful town.

"Happy New Year, Llangollen."

"Let's hope we can all look forward to a better time in 2021."

Happy New Year 2021 from llanblogger

 

Health Minister gives coronavirus update

Today's coronavirus update from Health Minister Vaughan Gething (pictured) is:

"I indicated in yesterday’s session in the Welsh Parliament that I would provide a further update on the current pressures being experienced across the health and care system in Wales. The approval of the Oxford- AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday was very welcome news but the benefits are still some way off. The current situation across our health and care system remains exceptionally challenging.

I want to take the opportunity once again to thank our front line staff for their continued effort in the face of this relentless pandemic and to recognise their commitment, compassion and hard work. The last year has taken its toll on many front line workers and we have seen high levels of sickness that inevitably impacts on services for patients. The situation has become particularly acute with the surge in the transmission of the virus. At present there are more than 2,000 fewer staff available to work in late December than there were in September before the current surge. This has been exacerbated over the holiday period with increasing numbers of our workforce returning to shielding. 

Many aspects of our health and care system are stretched to the limit as they seek to provide essential care and treatment. Routine activity in hospitals has had to be limited and domiciliary care and care homes are experiencing similar constraints on the services they can provide. Together with normal winter pressures, this has resulted in very high levels of pressure. The situation is compounded by the significant increase in the numbers of patients suffering from covid that are now in hospital beds and in critical care.

Critical care is now operating at 141% of its normal capacity and is the most serious concern over the next few weeks into the New Year. While we always planned to increase capacity, the current position is precarious as adequate staffing becomes a real issue. We continue to see patients in critical care for long periods of time and sadly many deaths. In the last few days there has been an overall increase in covid-related hospital inpatients to more than 2600 – critically, for the first time, this has now exceeded the 2500 patients we anticipated. Sadly we now have a record number of more than 1600 confirmed covid patients in our hospitals across Wales.

Patients that are still very ill but beginning their recovery in hospital are now up to more than 800. This has an increasing impact on available beds, as these patients may need to stay in hospital for long periods of time.

Primary care services also continue to deal with exceptional levels of demand as does the 111 service and the ambulance services. On Monday the 111 services had over 4000 calls in just one day, which is the highest seen in a single day. We know that high community prevalence leads to higher hospital admissions, serious illness and the loss of our loved ones. It takes several weeks for changes in the community transmission of the virus to start to impact on the pressure on our hospitals. We are currently still seeing increases in hospital admission and the latest 7 day average is close to 120 hospital admissions per day, twice the level we saw in September.

This statement provides an honest picture of the scale and significance of the challenge we face across our NHS. However it is important to share following my oral statement yesterday to help describe the specific pressures that are being managed. It reflects a system that is managing its most critical period of the year with over 2600 less beds than normal and with 119 less ICU beds available than would normally be the case, as they are occupied by covid patients and are therefore not available to support our usual winter pressures activity.  The NHS is having to adapt during this intense period by reducing other activities and limiting access. The coming weeks present genuinely unprecedented challenges and no effort is being spared to combat them.

The impact of the virus is across all health and care services and we appreciate the collaborative effort that continues across sectors in Wales. We know there is a delay between the impact of lockdown and any reduction in pressure. It remains more important than ever that the public stay at home and help save lives. Together we can keep Wales safe.

This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so."

See in New Year safely at home, says ambulance service

The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to see in the New Year safely at home.

With Wales in a full Alert Level 4 Lockdown and the wider UK on the verge of mass vaccination against Coronavirus, now is a critical time.

The Trust is asking the public to keep their community safe by not venturing outside their household or support bubble and risk spreading or contracting the virus.

Director of Operations for the Welsh Ambulance Service, Lee Brooks, said: “We would ask the public to please only leave your home for the essential reasons as set out in alert level 4.

“The entire healthcare sector is currently under extreme pressure and we strongly urge you to keep 999 and hospital emergency services free for only the most serious injuries and illnesses.

“You can do this by not taking any unnecessary risks around the home, only consuming alcohol moderately and of course not hosting or attending any gatherings.

“Please heed the Welsh Government’s advice to keep Wales safe and remember, ‘No party is worth the risk’.

“We would like to thank all our staff working tonight who, of course, wish for a very different New Year’s Eve.”

Whilst celebrating from home, the Trust is also urging people to take extra care if using fireworks.

Not only do they present a risk of burns injuries, smoke from fireworks can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma.

People with asthma are at a higher risk of getting very sick from Coronavirus which highlights the double medical risk from meeting with others not in your household.

Speaking of demand on the Trust, Regional Utilisation Manager Gill Pleming said: “Traditionally, tonight is one of our pinch points, and last New Year’s Eve alone we received 946 emergency calls.

“We would appeal to people to help us drive this figure down.

“Should you find yourself requiring non-urgent medical advice, the NHS Wales 111 online service is available at https://111.wales.nhs.uk/.

“But, in the case of a genuine life-threatening injury or illness we are still here for you on 999.”

Tonight's the night for live New Year's Eve event

Llangollen-based Orb Sound and Lighting has teamed up with party band Rhythm Train to stage a live stream New Year's Eve entertainment event tonight.

The aim is to raise the spirits of the community after a tough year by showcasing local talent.

The action-packed three and a half hour show, which runs from 9pm until 12.30am next morning, will be produced from one of the venues in Denbighshire the company usually works closely with but the exact location is being kept secret due to Covid regulations. 

On the bill along with Rhythm Train will be the Fron Male Voice Choir, The Hollywood Swingers, Delta Academy Ladies' Choir, Ifton Colliery Band, Lleisiau'r Afon Ladies' Choir and more.

An ORB spokesperson said: "The stream will include three live 45-minute sets from the band, interspersed with some pre-recorded content and adverts from local sponsors and local community groups

"We will also encourage people to send in messages to friends and family using a hashtag which can be moderated and shown on the bottom of the stream.

"The event will be shared across our own website, YouTube and Facebook  

https://www.facebook.com/ORBsoundandlighting sites as well as being broadcast on Radio Deeside.

"We aim to reach as many people as possible as we realise New Year's Eve can be a hard and lonely time for many people - this year more so than before. 

"We want to bring people together virtually, lift spirits as we enter the new year, and to give back to the community."

ORB Sound and Lighting provides staging, equipment and technicians for the outside stages of the International Musical Eisteddfod and Llangollen Fringe Festival each July.

They also support Llangollen Operatic Society, Young 'Uns and the pantomime group with all their equipment alongside technicians, who installed all of the new upgraded equipment for the Ysgol Dinas Bran ‘Curtains Up’ appeal, and who most recently gave up their time and equipment weekly during lockdown to beam a ‘Thank You’ message across the town during the Clap For Carers campaign.

The spokesperson added: "We have chosen a venue which we can adhere to Covid regulations and will have a number of measures in place including strict social distancing between all persons present.

"All equipment will be thoroughly sanitised before and after use, face coverings will be worn by the production team, and sanitiser will be provided throughout. 

"The building will also be locked during the entire evening to ensure we can remain safe inside, and that no members of the public can enter.

"Although the event is free we are asking for people to buy tickets for it to help us cover the costs. 

"We are asking them to pay what they can and the link is on the event's Facebook page at: 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-year-eve-live-stream-featuring-rhythm-train-tickets-133473720491?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch

Today's coronavirus update from the Welsh Government

 

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government (dated today, Wednesday) is:

·         A second Covid-19 vaccine has been given the go-ahead and its roll-out across Wales will start next week, the Health Minister has announced today.

o   The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has now authorised the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine as safe and effective on the basis of detailed independent expert review of evidence from large scale clinical trials.

o   The UK Government has procured vaccines on behalf of the four nations and around 100m of these are of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, with Wales receiving its allocation based on population over the next weeks and months.

o   https://gov.wales/second-covid-19-vaccine-given-go-ahead and https://gov.wales/written-statement-covid-19-vaccine-deployment-wales-1  

o   Questions about Covid-19 vaccines https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/

·         Health Minister Vaughan Gething has provided an update about the latest coronavirus situation in Wales as the Senedd was today recalled to discuss the UK-EU trade agreement: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/11170#A63478

 

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 2,281 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 146,706 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Sadly, there were 13 further deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 3,429.

o   These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary 

·         The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today published statistics on provisional weekly deaths, including deaths involving Covid-19, for the week ending 18 December.

o   The cumulative number of deaths involving Covid-19 in Welsh residents up to 18 December was 4,479.

o   Of the deaths registered in the week ending 18 December, there were provisionally 256 deaths involving Covid-19, 33 more than the previous week. Numbers are now at a similar level to early May.

o   There were a total of 3,593 (14%) excess deaths between 29 February and 18 December above the five-year average.

o   ONS figures are different to those reported by Public Health Wales as they include all reported deaths.

o   https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest 

  Where to find the latest information

·         Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4

·         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

·         Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/

·         Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/

·         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   The next press briefing will be held on January 4, 2021.

Clwyd South MP votes in favour of post-Brexit deal

* Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has today voted in favour of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s UK-EU post-Brexit deal, which will govern the UK’s trade agreement with the EU.

Members of Parliament, who were recalled from their Christmas recess, backed the agreement by 521 votes to 73.

The Bill will now progress to the House of Lords where peers will debate it and vote. 

Once the Bill passes both the Commons and Lords, as is expected, it will receive Royal Assent late tonight or early Thursday morning.

Simon Baynes said: “As a longstanding supporter of Brexit, I was very happy and proud to vote in favour of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal today, and to deliver on the promises I made to my Clwyd South constituents last year when they placed their trust in me in the General Election.

“The deal itself is very good news for Clwyd South, the rest of Wales and the UK. 

"It will allow us to take back control of our laws, borders, money, trade and fisheries and provide Welsh businesses with exceptional access to the EU’s market – the first time the EU has ever agreed a zero tariffs, zero quota deal.”