September 29, 2020 - 918 views
There has been 3 new deaths reported in Wales during past day according to the latest update from Public Health Wales.
New infections have also increased significantly on yesterday with 366 new cases during the past 24 hours. In North Wales there have been 38 new cases.
Flintshire reported 16 new cases, Conwy 6 and Denbighshire 4. Elsewhere Wrexham has 8 cases and Gwynedd 3.
Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:
“Public Health Wales reminds the public of local restrictions in place in 11 local authority areas in Wales. These arrangements are necessary in order to bring transmission of the virus under control in these areas.
"It is very important that we abide by the regulations in the areas in which we live and that we do not travel between local authority areas without a reasonable excuse.
“We thank the public in advance for sticking to these new restrictions, which are essential in reducing spread of the virus, protecting older and vulnerable people, and keeping Wales safe.
“We remind people living in areas of Wales where there are currently no restructions in place to remember, at all times, the importance of adhering to the regulations to prevent further local restrictions.
“The new restrictions mean that people living in the affected areas will not be allowed to enter or leave their local authority area without a reasonable excuse.
“They will not be able to meet indoors with anyone they do not live with for the time being, extended households (sometimes called a ‘bubble’) are suspended for the time being.
“Pubs, restaurants and other licensed premises must stop selling alcohol at 10pm, and offer table service only. Off licenses, including supermarkets and other retail outlets, must also stop selling alcohol at 10pm.
“People who can work from home must do so. Those who cannot reasonably work from home can continue to travel to a place of work, whether that is within our outside the areas affected by local restrictions.
“Details of these rules for each local authority area can be found on the Welsh Government website.
“The multidisciplinary Incident Management Team (IMT) for the Gwent area is encouraging anyone living in Blaenau Gwent and who has symptoms of COVID-19 to get a test, following a rapid rise in cases.
“A mobile testing unit has been set up in the area. Local residents can book a test by calling 0300 303 1222.
“The symptoms of COVID-19 are a new, continuous cough, a fever and a change in taste or smell (anosmia), but as these can be preceded by more minor symptoms, so the IMT is encouraging people with any flu-like symptoms, or that are feeling generally unwell, to book themselves in for a test.
“As well as observing the current and new restrictions coming into place, I would also urge people to download the new NHS COVID-19 app which launched last week.
“The app forms a central part of the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect programme. We would encourage as many people to download and use the app as possible, to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. The app also informs users of the current risk level in their postcode district.
“The ‘rule of six’ means that only six people from the same extended household can meet indoors. This applies throughout Wales, although there are additional measures in place in the areas affected by local restrictions.
“In addition, the Welsh Government has announced strengthened regulations and support for employees and employers who are required to self-isolate.
“In the areas where local restrictions have been announced or brought into place (the council areas of Neath Port Talbot, Vale of Glamorgan, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly County, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taf and the town of Llanelli), then those rules must be followed. Details of these rules can be found on the Welsh Government website.
“We are continuing to see a steady increase in cases in many communities across Wales, and our investigations show that many of these have been transmitted due to a lack of social distancing.
“The council areas of Anglesey, Carmarthenshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, and Flintshire are all areas of concern to us and we are watching the data from there carefully, but numbers of cases are increasing in all parts of Wales so there is no room for complacency in any area.
“We are also seeing an increase in the number of people who are seriously ill and have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
“We are concerned that much of the good work conducted over the past few months is at risk of going to waste. If the situation continues to worsen, we may find ourselves at the same levels of infection that we experienced earlier this year in March and April, and with that comes the potential for more extended restrictions to be imposed nationally.
“Coronavirus has not gone away. It remains the responsibility of everyone to help prevent the spread of this virus to protect older and vulnerable family members and friends. They should do this by self-isolating when asked to do so, staying two metres away from others, and by washing hands regularly.
“Public Health Wales is urging all eligible people in Wales to have their free flu vaccine as NHS Wales begins its largest ever national flu vaccine programme.
“Flu (also known as influenza) can be serious, particularly for those who are older or have a health condition and are more vulnerable to complications as a result of the flu. Having a flu vaccine every year is one of the most effective ways to protect against flu.
“Those eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine include people with long term health conditions, people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, children aged two to ten years old, carers, domiciliary carers and care home staff with regular client contact as well as care home residents, people with a learning disability and those on the NHS shielded patient list or who are a household contact of someone who is on the NHS shielded patient list.
“For the latest information, visit www.beatflu.org or www.curwchffliw.org or search Beat Flu or Curwch Ffliw on Twitter and Facebook."
