NHS Wales launches long-Covid recovery app

A covid recovery app has been launched today (20 January) as part of wider support on offer for people experiencing the longer term effects of coronavirus.

The bilingual, first of its kind, app has been developed by the NHS Wales respiratory health group on behalf of the Welsh Government and has been designed to offer people a bespoke tool and personal coach to help them on their road to recovery

With more than 100 videos and links to advice, app users will be able to record their symptoms, track their progress and learn to manage their condition at home with support. It includes advice from therapists, psychologists, dietitians and consultants.

The app is part of a wider national approach to support people with post-covid syndrome which includes supporting health professionals to recognise the symptoms, signposting people to support and providing a clear pathway for people as they go through the healthcare system.

Post-Covid-19 syndrome, also known as long covid, has been defined as signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with coronavirus that continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis.

It is anticipated that people are able to access the majority of the support they need close to home,  and people should only have to travel for more specialised services which have to be provided in an acute hospital setting.

Health minister Vaughan Gething said: “We are still learning about the virus but it is estimated that around that around 1 in 10 people who have had coronavirus suffer some long term symptoms. The launch of this app, which is the first of its kind, is to reassure those people that there is support available to them and that they are not alone.

“This app is part of a wider national approach which has been put into place to recognise those people who months later are still feeling a range of cardiac, neurological and psychological issues.

“Anyone can download the app but we’re also asking health professionals to recommend it to their patients so that their care can continue at home long after their appointment ends.

“GPs are still best placed to signpost their patients to appropriate support, carry out testing to look for any treatable symptoms and refer patients to specialist consultants if necessary, this will of course mean that support is still available for anyone without a smart phone.”

* Always call 999 if you experience any life threatening symptoms or contact the 111 online coronavirus service or your GP if you feel your symptoms aren’t improving or you need further advice.

Covid support for businesses in Denbighshire extended

A grant available to businesses impacted by coronavirus restrictions has been extended.

The Welsh Government Restrictions Discretionary Grant of £2,000 is available to assist any business without a business premises and registered with business rates that has been forced to close or has experienced a drop in turnover of 40% or more as a result of the restrictions introduced in Wales on December 4. 

The scheme was initially opened in Denbighshire on December 15 for businesses in the hospitality sector and supply chain businesses linked to the hospitality sector. 

The scheme, which is being administered by Denbighshire County Council on behalf of the Welsh Government, has now been extended to any business that meets the eligibility criteria set out in the guidance.

Examples of eligible businesses are:

A limited company with a turnover of between £10,000 and £50,000

Sole traders / partnerships with a turnover less than £85,000

The business must be your main source of income (more than 50%)

Businesses eligible for, or who have received, the Restrictions Business Fund Non Domestic Rate Grant and / or the Economic Resilience Fund Sector Specific Support Grant are not eligible for this discretionary grant.

Only one application per business is applicable and will be dealt with on a first come first served basis. 

Applications may take up to 30 working days to process.

There is no automatic payment for the grant; businesses are required to complete an on-line form.

You can apply for this grant, and find information about other financial schemes, at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/emergency-support-for-businesses.aspx

 

More roadworks to come on Castle Street

* The roadworks on the bridge due to be finished today.

As one set of roadworks on Castle Street comes to an end the water company which has been carrying them out has warned of more to come.

Since last Friday there have been temporary traffic lights on the bridge to allow Hafren Dyfrdwy to repair a burst pipe under the roadway.

A spokesperson for the company said: "The work in question is in relation to a 3-inch cast iron main which has suffered a burst. 

"We have actually already repaired the main and the excavation was back-filled yesterday (Monday). 

"Full reinstatement and removal of traffic management should be completed tomorrow (Wednesday)."

She added: "It seems sensible that I should take the opportunity to inform you of some additional work that we will soon be doing in Castle St to replace a defective fire hydrant. 

"We’re in conversation with the council about this work and had hoped that we might be able to do it at the same time as repairing the water main but this has not been possible due to the traffic management requirements.   

"It not the easiest place to set up traffic management and we know it can be an inconvenience so we’re very appreciative of the patience and understanding of our customers as we complete our essential works ensuring continuity of supply as well as ensuring the fire service have a reliable network for use in emergencies." 

Pandemic update from Welsh Government

 

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) is:

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 have been amended to place requirements on businesses and premises to undertake a specific coronavirus risk assessment.
• They strengthen requirements on retail to specify certain reasonable measures they must take to keep shoppers and staff safe in store.
• https://gov.wales/written-statement-amendments-health-protection-coronavirus-restrictions-no-5-wales-regulations-2020

 

• Health Minister Vaughan Gething has provided an update about progress a week after the Vaccination Strategy was published: https://gov.wales/written-statement-covid-19-vaccine-strategy-one-week

 

• The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, today thanked all the brilliant, kind people from all backgrounds throughout Wales who are volunteering to help communities face lockdown together https://gov.wales/thank-you-all-our-wonderful-volunteers-wales-please-stay-safe-alert-level-4

 

• The facts about coronavirus: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-facts

 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 1,106 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 182,599 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Sadly, there were eight deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 4,302.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is being published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 161,932 people have received their first dose
• And 265 people have receive two doses of the vaccine
• 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 about provisional weekly deaths, including deaths involving Covid-19, for the week ending 8 January.
• The cumulative number of deaths involving Covid-19 in Welsh residents up to 8 January was 5,599.
• Of the deaths registered in the week ending 8 January, there were provisionally 454 deaths involving Covid-19. This was the highest number of deaths involving Covid registered in a week since the pandemic began – higher than the first peak in April, but this may be affected by registration delays following bank holidays over the Christmas and New Year period.
• For the period 29 February 2020 to 8 January 2021, there were 4,551 excess deaths (16%) above the five-year average.
• The excess death rate for Wales for the period 29 February 2020 to 8 January 2021 was lower than in England.
• https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest

 

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 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus once you are self-isolating. 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
   

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.

County approves 3.8% council tax rise

Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved its budget for the 2021/2022 financial year, with an increase of 3.8% in council tax for the county’s residents. 

The draft settlement announced by Welsh Government in December showed an increase of 3.6% in the budget for Denbighshire and in cash terms this means an increase of £5.4 million.

The budget still has to go to Full Council for approval on January 26.

In setting the budget, councillors considered the fact that there are £10.6 million budget pressures facing the authority, including continued pressure on social services, education, schools and waste service.

In light of the better settlement, the Council says it has been able to keep the increase in council tax as low as possible, with this year’s increase of 3.8% lower than last year’s increase of 4.3%.

The budget for the 2021/22 financial year is £216.8 million.  This includes a £750,000 increase for education and children’s services; £3.3 million for schools; £2.4 million for adult social care; £250,000 for waste services; £276,000 for flood defences and £389,000 for the Council’s Carbon Zero target.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: “The Council has a legal duty to set a balanced budget for the forthcoming financial year and I must commend councillors and staff who have worked tirelessly to get us to this position today where we can officially set the budget. 

“They have come up with proposals to balance the books and have scrutinised and deliberated over the figures before coming up with the budget.

“The past year has seen a number of increased pressures due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Council will continue to work with Welsh Government to ensure that the Council plays its full part in the response and recovery to the pandemic.

“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to identify more efficient and effective ways of working within the Council and the savings we have identified, together with the better settlement than expected, means that we have been able to keep the council tax levels low. 

“The public has told us that they did not want to see large increases and we have listened to their concerns and worked to find alternative ways of finding savings.

“The other good news is that we have been able to protect essential frontline services that people want and expect from the Council.   

"The savings we are taking forward this year will have little impact on the level of services that the public receive and that has been a crucial part of our thinking from the beginning. 

"The Council has a strong track record of doing this and we have tried to lead by example by being as efficient and effective as possible, reducing our budgets and making savings through not replacing some posts and identifying better ways of working or stopping some things altogether.”

 

Wales's chief medic sends out message on vaccination programme

In response to media claims that the country is lagging behind, Dr Gillian Richardson, senior professional adviser to Wales’ chief medical officer and SRO on the country's covid-19 vaccination programme has sent out this message to the public this afternoon:

The biggest vaccination programme Wales has ever seen is currently underway, as the covid-19 vaccine is rolled out across all parts of the country.

The NHS is working incredibly hard to get the vaccine out to as many people as possible, and as quickly and safely as possible. 

More than 162,000 people have already been vaccinated – equivalent to around 5% of the Welsh population – with thousands more receiving the vaccine every day. 

We are continuing to speed up vaccination as more supplies become available. The first pharmacies in Wales began administering the vaccine last week as part of a pilot in North West Wales. 

A mix of vaccination sites and centres have been selected to ensure everyone across the country has equal access to the vaccine. People will be asked to attend either a mass or community centre, hospital, GP practice, pharmacy or mobile unit.

Every eligible adult will be invited to a site by their Health Board/GP. 

We can’t underestimate the sheer scale of this effort.  We are at the early stages of a huge undertaking, and a lot has already been achieved – equivalent to five months of childhood programme vaccinations in just five weeks.

You will be contacted when it is time to receive your vaccine. Your vaccination will take place at a centre or clinic or, if you live in a care home or can’t leave your house, a mobile team will come to you.

I know everyone is really keen to receive the vaccine but please wait until you are contacted for your turn. 

The rollout of the vaccine is very positive news and offers us real hope for the future.  But we continue to face a serious situation with the spread of the virus. 

For now it is vitally important we all follow the rules to protect each other.  We must stay at home except for the activities allowed, work from home if we can, maintain social distancing and wear a face covering when required.

Residents encouraged to contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire

Denbighshire residents are being encouraged to contact a charity if they are struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Citizens Advice Denbighshire provides free, confidential and impartial advice and campaigns on big issues affecting people's lives.

During 2020 Citizens Advice Denbighshire secured more than £10.95m of benefit and tax credit gain for residents, raised 276 people out of fuel poverty and dealt with more than 8,400 enquiries.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “As we know covid-19 has bought many challenges to individuals within our communities as well as to public service organisations who support residents on a regular basis.

“There has been a tremendous effort made by charities, third sector organisations and volunteers across Denbighshire during the past year, and I would like to thank everyone who has played a role in helping our communities during this time.

“Citizens Advice Denbighshire provides a key role in supporting our residents and this has been particularly important in the last 12 months. 

“The Council is delighted to work in partnership with Citizens Advice Denbighshire on a wide range of projects including the School Uniform Recycle scheme, the Eat Well, Cook Slow project which has helped provide 160 families with slow cookers, while our Homelessness Prevention Team also works closely with them.

“I would encourage all those in the county who are in need of the support from Citizens Advice Denbighshire to contact them.”

Lesley Powell, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Denbighshire, said: "We have worked closely with the Council and our network of partner agencies to ensure the maximum amount of support is accessible and available for the citizens of Denbighshire.  Working together enables us to provide an holistic service which leads to the best outcome for individuals.

“Our staff and volunteers have pulled together during this pandemic to provide a completely remote service which gives our full support to everyone, in addition to our normal advice service we have answered more than 1,500 Covid-19 related enquiries. We're here for everyone, our help is only a phone call or a click away."

* You can contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire on 0300 3302 124 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/denbighshire/