County councillors' statement on town's Covid-19 safety measures

* County councillors Melvyn Mile, left, and Graham Timms on Castle Street.

Llangollen's two county councillors, Melvyn Mile and Graham Timms, have made a joint statement about the Covid-19 safety measures put in place in the town centre late last year and which this week have sparked a petition by former mayor Stuart Davies calling for the removal of the bollards on Castle Street.

They say: "When the current lockdown is relaxed we can expect a record number of visitors coming to Llangollen. 

"The pandemic will not be over, but the extra freedom means that visitors will come in their thousands and the town will become busy and crowded once again. It will therefore be more important than ever to have extra space on Castle Street, and to ensure that the other Covid -19 changes stay in place until after the summer. 

"We are both fully behind the Llangollen Covid-19 scheme. Its introduction was to enable people to stay safe when they visit the town, providing space for social distancing and safe queueing outside shops. 

"The barriers on Castle Street are not pretty, but these lane protectors are the safest way to achieve this in the short term.  The decision to support the scheme was not taken lightly. We explored every possibility, and suggested changes based on comments received from residents and businesses alike. 

"The petition organised by Stuart Davies as part of his election campaign to join Llangollen Town Council is ill-timed and irresponsible.  

"This is the first World Pandemic of our time, and vitally important decisions made to protect residents and visitors to our town should not be dealt with like this. 

"As elected representatives we cannot ignore our responsibility for public safety based on online petitions or unpleasant and personal attacks on social media. That is why we stand firmly behind Denbighshire's Covid-19 changes. They are essential to protect everyone and in a major tourist town like Llangollen it would be a dereliction of our duty of care to call for the barriers to come down. 

"In these crucial few weeks and months we must all try to stay calm and patient with each other. Let's support each other as we have done over the last year, and come through on the other side together as a much stronger and united community. 

"Graham and Mel Can be contacted at graham.timms@denbighshire.gov.uk and melvyn.mile@denbighshire.gov.uk"

Coronavirus update from the Welsh Government

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

• Freelancers working in Wales’ creative sectors will receive a further round of support worth £8.9m, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism Lord Elis-Thomas announced today.
• The new round of support funding from the Cultural Recovery Fund will mean each of the freelancers already supported will receive an additional £2,500 to support them through this extended period of reduced activity. 
• https://gov.wales/further-89-million-support-creative-sector-freelancers
• Health Minister Vaugh Gething has updated the Senedd about Wales’ vaccination programme: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/11178#A64456
• What to do if you are 70 or over and have not been contacted about your COVID-19 vaccination: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-vaccinations-those-aged-70-or-over
• Latest testing data for Wales: https://gov.wales/testing-data-coronavirus-covid-19 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 323 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 197,344 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Very sadly, there were 21 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 5,032.
• 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 655,419 people have received their first dose
• And 3,687 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

• 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
• Want to join Wales’ vaccination team? https://gov.wales/join-covid-19-vaccination-team
• 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.

o   Dr Andrew Goodall, chief executive of NHS Wales, held today’s press briefing. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1359475994755665921

Tributes paid to ex-Wrexham and Wales goalkeeper Dai Davies

* Dai Davies being put through his paces during a 

physio session at Nightingale House last year.

According to a story which has just appeared on North Wales Live, tributes have been flooding in for ex- Wrexham and Wales international goalkeeper, Dai Davies, who has died.

Mr Davies, who ran a natural healing centre in Llangollen, had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer earlier last year and had been spending time at the Nightingale House Hospice, in Wrexham.

* For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tributes-flood-welsh-goalkeeping-legend-19807921?fbclid=IwAR1wTCxUmp3qfZkkJHq-FNIVuoUWJnwcgnJqY1DX4LxNAw_eDszO9DJruZA

SM challenges First Minister over vaccination standby lists

North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has challenged the First Minister over vaccination standby lists following reports of people not in the national priority groups being offered the jab in North Wales.

Speaking during yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood provided numerous examples of people not in the national priority groups being offered the vaccine ahead of frontline police officers, teachers and other workers at risk of coming into contact with people infected with Covid, and asked the First Minister why this is happening.

He said: “Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board stated last Thursday  that no vaccines will go to waste as 'we are using a standby list created in accordance with the national priority groups’. 

"However, many Flintshire residents have contacted me stating otherwise.

“One said ‘A neighbour had a knock on the door from a new resident, who said everyday there are spare vaccinations as many people were not turning up, and if she was interested in a jab her contact at Deeside Vaccination centre would call her later in the day’.

“Another said ‘I have been made aware of a person, employed on IT duties, aged 26 with no underlying health conditions vaccinated at short notice, this is the third situation where I have heard of somebody that is outside of the roll out criteria being vaccinated on short notice’.

“Another said ‘there are people who are not frontline NHS staff/over 80 etc receiving appointments to have the vaccine - none had underlying health conditions’."

He added: "What, therefore is going on when surely any standby list should prioritise people like frontline police officers and teachers?”

In his response, the First Minister described Mr Isherwood’s comments as “a collection of random and unattributed anecdotes that really don't amount to a single piece of serious commentary” and said that “the health service across Wales, and in Betsi Cadwaladr too, is working as hard as it possibly can to deliver vaccination in line with the JCVI advice.”

He added: “Of course health boards have reserve lists, so that when people are unable, for all sorts of reasons, to take up an appointment at short notice, there are other people who can be called upon, so that vaccine does not go to waste. What could possibly be objectionable in that?”

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood added: “I have been inundated with e-mails just like these, but was only allowed enough time to quote a few examples. 

"Of course we praise everyone involved in delivering the Vaccination Programme, but that doesn’t exempt this First Minister from scrutiny and his insulting dismissal of my constituents concerns is deeply regrettable.

“If the Welsh Government was following  JCVI advice, then the circumstances I described could not be happening. If they are, why won’t they admit it and instead prioritise on standby lists those whose employment means that they run the risk of coming into contact with people infected with COVID, when vaccines would otherwise go to waste?”

Council thanks Denbighshire residents for exercising from home

Residents in Denbighshire are being thanked for following exercise from home guidance.

Welsh Government regulations state you must exercise locally unless there is a reason, such as a health condition or mobility issue, that would require driving to the nearest convenient location.

In Denbighshire the car parks at Moel Famau and Loggerheads country parks remain closed.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “I would like to thank our residents who have been following Welsh Government regulations and exercising locally, this is having a real impact on the spread of coronavirus.

“The car parks at Moel Famau and Loggerheads remain closed and we continue to ask people to stay at home. We are working in partnership with North Wales Police and they will continue to patrol the areas.

“I’d also like to remind people that driving to see snow or to sledge is not a reasonable excuse to drive into the area and anyone who does so will be breaking Welsh Government regulations.

“Exercise is vitally important for residents’ well-being during the current lockdown. We know it has been difficult and when it is safe to do so we will be ensuing our country parks re-open for the public to enjoy, but in the meantime please make sure your exercise starts and finishes from home.”

* You can read Welsh Government guidance here https://gov.wales/leaving-your-home-and-seeing-other-people-alert-level-4

 

Welsh Government's coronavirus update

 

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

·         The Welsh Government has delivered its key promises to the people of Wales in the face of one of the most difficult periods of government in modern history, First Minister Mark Drakeford said today: https://gov.wales/we-have-and-will-continue-to-deliver-for-wales-first-minister 

·         Health Minister Vaughan Gething has published a written statement about how student nurses are deployed: https://gov.wales/written-statement-student-nurse-deployment-wales

·         Childcare and play at alert level four – frequently asked questions: https://gov.wales/childcare-and-play-alert-level-4-frequently-asked-questions

·         From February, schools and colleges, including special schools and alternative provision and childcare and play settings will have access to rapid-result tests for staff to conduct twice weekly testing at home to help identify people carrying the virus without displaying symptoms, reducing the risk of transmission.

o   Asymptomatic testing in schools – guidance: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-asymptomatic-testing-schools-and-colleges

·         Wales’ vaccination programme – weekly updates: https://gov.wales/covid-19-vaccination-programme-weekly-updates

·         Technical Advisory Group: Consensus Statement on Testing in the Context of Vaccination Associated with Care Homes: https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-consensus-statement-testing-context-vaccination-associated-care-homes 

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 351 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 197,021 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Very sadly, there were 10 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 5,011.

o   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.

o   The latest figures show 628,760 people have received their first dose

o   And 3,491 people have received two doses of the vaccine

o   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 29 January 2021.

o   The cumulative number of deaths involving Covid-19 in Welsh residents was 6,843.

o   Of the deaths registered in the week ending 29 January, there were provisionally 361 deaths involving Covid-19. This was 86 fewer than the previous week. The number of registered deaths involving Covid has declined for two successive weeks.

o   Unlike Wales, the number of deaths involving Covid increased in England for the most recent week.

o   For the period 29 February 2020 to 29 January 2021, there were a total of 5,302 excess deaths (18%) above the five-year average.

o   The excess death rate for Wales for this period was lower than in England.

o   ONS figures are different to those recorded by Public Health Wales as they record all deaths in all settings.

o   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

o   Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

o   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

o   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

·         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

·         Want to join Wales’ vaccination team? https://gov.wales/join-covid-19-vaccination-team

·         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.

MP welcomes military support for north Wales vaccination roll-out

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has praised the UK Government’s decision to deploy an additional 96 service personnel to Wales to support the Welsh Government with the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines.

Mr Baynes welcomed the decision made by the Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart MP, and Defence Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey MP, to approve a Military Aid to the Civilian Authorities (MACA) request from the Welsh Government.

The MACA will provide 96 service personnel to carry out a range of tasks including up to 20 defence medics who will boost capacity by leading teams of local vaccinators. 

The UK Government has also provided two military planners to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in North Wales until mid-March to assist with the planning of the vaccination programme in the area.

This follows on from the UK Government providing 92 service personnel to support Wales’ Health Boards in rapidly establishing and operating vaccination centres, as requested by the Welsh Government in December 2020.

The 96 additional service personnel expected to be on task until the end of April 2021. 

Their progress will be reviewed in mid February and will help the UK Government understand the level of demand for the 92 service personnel who have been supporting Welsh Government since early January, and who are expected to complete their duties on 28 February.

Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment, Nadhim Zahawi MP, said: “Our military personnel are playing a crucial role in making sure that those who are eligible for the vaccine in every part of the United Kingdom get their jabs as quickly as possible. Working alongside local partners and healthcare heroes, I’m grateful for their efforts which are testament to the strength of our Union and will help us maintain the rapid pace of the roll out in all four corners of the UK.”

Simon Baynes said: “It is vital that we get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible to put an end to this terrible virus. The military have played and continue to play a key role in delivering this vaccine to people here in Clwyd South, Wales and across the United Kingdom.

“We have seen the incredible role that NHS and other key workers have undertaken since the beginning of the pandemic, including our heroic armed forces and I thank them for their incredible efforts. 

"I’m delighted that the UK Government is ensuring the vaccine is administered as soon as possible, bringing specialist services to accelerate vaccine roll-out and ultimately, saving lives across all four nations of the United Kingdom. This underlines the importance and benefit of the Union of the United Kingdom.”