Latest coronavirus update from Welsh Government

 

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

• Further COVID-19 testing for care home staff is beginning this week to help identify infectious individuals sooner and manage outbreaks more effectively, Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced.
• The enhanced testing programme will involve the twice weekly testing of asymptomatic care home staff using rapid lateral flow test devices.
• This is in addition to the PCR tests, which are sent to a laboratory, currently undertaken by care home staff as part of a package of measures for preventing transmission of COVID-19 in care homes and protecting residents and staff which has been operating since June 2020.
• https://gov.wales/enhanced-covid-19-testing-introduced-care-homes 

• The Welsh Government is urging businesses to ensure they are registered for financial support to help them deal with the ongoing impacts of coronavirus: https://gov.wales/businesses-urged-register-financial-support
• The Welsh Government has written to the 130,000 people on the shielding patient list with updated advice
• Letter: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/inline-documents/2021-02/Letter%20to%20those%20who%20are%20Clinically%20Extremely%20Vulnerable%20%E2%80%93%20previously%20%E2%80%98shielding%E2%80%99.pdf
• Guidance for people who are classed as extremely clinically vulnerable: https://gov.wales/guidance-protecting-people-defined-medical-grounds-clinically-extremely-vulnerable-coronavirus .  

• Cwmbran recycling company Recresco is increasing its production and creating new jobs thanks to £250,000 support from Welsh Government: https://gov.wales/future-cwmbran-company-safeguarded-welsh-government-support
• Health Minister Vaughan Gething has published a written statement about the detailed and forensic investigation into three cases of the South African variant strain of coronavirus in Wales: https://gov.wales/written-statement-new-variants-concern-wales

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 544 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 194,525 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Very sadly, there were 35 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 4,867.
• 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 490,570 people have received their first dose
• And 1,216 people have received two doses of the vaccine
• 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 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/ and https://gov.wales/vaccine-coronavirus
• 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, broadcast on BBC One Wales and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

Decision made on temporary scheme in Ruthin

A decision has been made to remove the temporary Local Sustainable Transport Response to Covid-19 scheme in Ruthin town centre.

This decision has been made by Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, following a recommendation made by Ruthin Member Area Group (MAG).

Cllr Jones said: “I have come to this decision following a meeting with the Ruthin Member Area Group during which members expressed strong concerns about the scheme.

“As a result, we have taken the decision to remove the temporary infrastructure. This removal work is due to begin shortly and we will update the public once a date is finalised. “Once this is completed Market Street and Well Street will return to two-way traffic flow. We would like to thank residents and businesses in advance for their understanding during this work.

“We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback on the temporary scheme. Your feedback will be collated, analysed and published in the near future.

“Denbighshire County Council has an ongoing legal obligation under the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 to research, develop, consult on and promote active travel routes in and around town centres – including Ruthin. We wish to reassure residents that the decision to end the temporary Covid-19 active travel scheme early will have no impact on this work and the Council will work with residents, businesses and local members.”

Cllr Emrys Wynne, Chair of Ruthin MAG, said: “I would like to thank the Council for working closely with us and residents on this project. We support the aspirations of this scheme, however as a MAG we felt it wasn’t the right scheme for the town.

“We look forward to working with the Council, residents and businesses about the long-term aspirations and concerns about active travel and healthier lifestyles in the Ruthin area.”

Another vaccination update from the health centre

Llangollen Health Centre has this afternoon posted another update on Covid Vaccinations, which says:

"Any patient who falls into one of the groups below and has not yet received a call from us regarding a Covid vaccine can now phone us on 01978 860625 to make an appointment.

* patients aged 70 - 79 years of age

* patients aged 18 and above who are in receipt of an official shielding letter.

"Please note that this applies only to the patients in the above groups."

Businesses urged to register for financial support

The Welsh Government is urging businesses to ensure they are registered for financial support to help them deal with the ongoing impacts of coronavirus.

Last month, the Government announced an additional £200m package to help firms through to the end of March. This takes the Welsh Government’s business support package from the December to March period to £650m.

The financial package is predominantly for businesses that pay non-domestic rates and have been forced to close or operate differently as a result of coronavirus restrictions.

As businesses need to have registered with their local authorities in October or later in order to receive the payments, the Welsh Government is urging firms that have not yet done so to take action now so they do not miss out.

Under the support package, eligible businesses with a rates value of less than £12,000, such as a small hairdressers or florists, would be entitled to receive £6,000 for the December to March period.

Firms with a rateable value below £150,000, for example a clothes shop, a restaurant or a gym, would be entitled to £10,000 for the same period of time. The money is to help cover costs like rent, utilities and insurance.

This funding is on top of support from the Welsh Government’s £180m sector specific fund for tourism, tourism and hospitality businesses which received more than 8,000 applications before closing, as planned, on 29 January. It is also in addition to income support offered by the UK Government such as the Job Retention Scheme and Self Employment Income Support Scheme.

Businesses that have received a payment via their local authority since the firebreak in October do not need to take further action.

However, the Welsh Government estimates that there are thousands of eligible businesses that might not yet have registered for this support.

Economy Minister Ken Skates said: “Welsh Government support continues to be crucial in protecting businesses and jobs throughout Wales.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have ensured more than £1.75 billion has reached the banks accounts of businesses to help them deal with the ongoing economic impact of coronavirus.

“Eligible firms that pay non-domestic rates and have registered with their local authority since the firebreak in October should receive further support automatically so do not need to take further action. However, we know that too many firms have not yet registered. I urge those business owners to take action now so they can receive what they are entitled to.

“This money will be absolutely vital in helping firms up and down the country through these incredibly challenging times. We do not want any business to miss out or go under because of inaction so if you pay non-domestic rates but have not registered with your local authority since before the firebreak in October please do so now.”

* Businesses who have not registered with their local authorities since the firebreak in October should visit the Business Wales website for more information on doing so - https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/restrictions-business-fund-local-authorities 

Enhanced Covid-19 testing introduced for care homes

Further Covid-19 testing for care home staff is beginning this week to help identify infectious individuals sooner and manage outbreaks more effectively, the Welsh Health Minister has announced.

The enhanced testing programme will involve the twice weekly testing of asymptomatic care home staff using rapid lateral flow test devices.

This is in addition to the PCR tests, which are sent to a laboratory, currently undertaken by care home staff as part of a package of measures for preventing transmission of Covid-19 in care homes and protecting residents and staff which has been operating since June 2020.

A £3 million funding package has been agreed to support additional testing in care homes.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “The protection of the most vulnerable people in our communities has been a priority during the Covid-19 virus outbreak.

“Care home staff, local authorities and health protection teams continue to work tirelessly to prevent the introduction and onward transmission of Covid-19 in our care homes. 

“While we are making good progress with the roll-out of our vaccination programme, testing remains pivotal in our response to the pandemic to help identify infectious individuals within care homes sooner and manage outbreaks more effectively.”

Local health protection teams will also be able to consider the introduction of daily testing for a period of 10 days in care homes where there is an outbreak.  This enhanced testing is in line with the ‘test to safeguard’ priority described in the refreshed Welsh Government Testing Strategy.

Lateral flow tests produce results within 20 to 30 minutes allowing for positive individuals to be identified and isolated much more quickly than through the current testing process.

£5.5m funding boost for council tax support scheme

 

Local councils across North Wales are set to receive more than £1.4m of a £5.5m pot of additional funding to help them fund the increased demand on the Welsh Government’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

The Council Tax Reduction Scheme has been providing support to hundreds of thousands of households with their council tax bills since it was introduced almost eight years ago. But with many more people facing reduced income or unemployment as a result of Covid-19, the CTRS has received a significant increase in applications. In the last year the Welsh Government has provided local authorities with almost £11m in additional funding to help them cater for the increased demand on the scheme – providing a lifeline to households that are struggling to cope financially during these difficult times. Finance Minister Rebecca Evans: “We are committed to providing a responsible and targeted approach to addressing the financial impact of the pandemic. “Whilst the coronavirus outbreak is affecting everyone, we recognise the disproportionate impact it is having on some of the most vulnerable people in our society. “The funding I am announcing today will provide local authorities with the financial reassurances they need to continue supporting those who need it most through our Council Tax Reduction Scheme. “I would encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible for help with their council tax bills to contact their council for advice.” Councillor Anthony Hunt, WLGA Spokesperson for Resources said: “This additional funding will be welcomed by local authorities in all parts of Wales to help hard pressed households with their council tax bills.  Demand for this support had soared during the past year. “I would reiterate the words of the Finance Minister that any resident worried about their council tax should get in touch with their local authority." The Welsh Government will shortly be publishing analysis on the impact Covid-19 has had on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. We are also continuing to work with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and local authorities to understand the longer term effects of increased demand on the scheme and to assess the extent of any decline in council tax collection on local authorities.

Cat puts out the call for supplies to keep food operation going

* The team from Pizza Palace on Castle Street who have been helping with the food operation.

Each day during lockdown the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group started by Cat Meade and her friends has been providing lunch and dinner for 13 people who aren’t able to prepare food for themselves.   

To keep this vital service going the group has raised funds through regular raffles on its own Facebook page and there has also been strong support from Llangollen Rotary Club and Llangollen Inner Wheel’s Moira Gleed and Angela Jefferies along with Cat’s own mum.

Further support has come from local businesses Dee Pizza, Kelly’s Chippy, Llangollen Pizza & Kebab and Simran Shah at Aydan’s Tandoori.

Cat says that to keep the meals coming the group is still in need of supplies such as drinks, pot noodles, porridge pots, crisps, snacks, hot chocolate, tea, coffee and cups of soups.

She said: “If you would like to donate a bag of chips etc from an eatery or supply goods, If you can help we have set up a drop off point with Stephen Brady at Recollections Ltd on Abbey Road, next to the Bridge End. If you have an extra portion of food we can use or freeze, or if you can donate a £1 or anything you can via paypal at catmeade@hotmail.co.uk where I shop weekly at Aldi for goods.”

* Cat has also taken to Facebook to say a big thank you to her employers who have not only allowed her to use their office resources since the pandemic began but have also contributed thousands of pounds towards the work of the help group.

She posted: “As you all know I started this page along with Bethan Mascarenhas  some 10 months ago. 

“I have had a lot of help along the way from Admins to Volunteers, created Llangollen Raffles to fundraise and assist local businesses which has also bought a bit of fun to our community in the process. 

“You may also know by now that I have a full-time job running the Llangollen Wingetts branch for sales, lettings and commercial of which has been a very demanding year.

“I am very lucky to have a job that I love but also that has remained in full swing during the pandemic for which I am extremely grateful. 

“What you may not know that behind me I have two amazing directors in Emma Hayward and Leigh Hayward who own Wingetts.

“From day one I published our office number as a helpline, I published leaflets from the office printer, donated in our competition for NHS drawings which we displayed in our Llangollen office with £1,000 to Air Ambulance and gave prize to winner, staff have gifted donations and goods, supported local fundraisers and donated to all causes. 

“I have always loved my job and proud to be part of the Wingetts family What you don’t see is that Wingetts as a business has contributed over £5,000 during these past 10 months to Llangollen and my fundraising appeals. 

“We are family and we are #llangollenfamily we support one another. I just wanted to say a big thank you to Wingetts Ltd Wrexham & Llangollen for supporting me and Llangollen.”