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Monday's COVID-19 update as restrictions further ease


April 12, 2021 - 760 views

As North Wales takes another step towards the eventual easing of all coronavirus restrictions, Public Health Wales have provided an update for Monday.

Today has shown no new deaths and 50 new cases of Covid-19, one of the lowest daily figures in recent months.

16 cases were in North Wales with 6 in Flintshire, 5 in Gwynedd, 2 in both Anglesey and Conwy and 1 in Wrexham. Denbighshire reported no new cases.

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:

“From today, Monday 12 April, a number of restrictions will be eased as the levels of positive cases continues to fall.

“All children will return to face-to-face education as well as all post-16 learners returning to further education. Training centres and university campuses will be able to open for blended face to face learning for all students.

“All remaining shops can reopen, and all close contact services - including mobile services - can resume.

“Viewings at wedding venues can resume by appointment, and outdoor canvassing for the upcoming elections can begin.

“In addition, travel restrictions on travelling into and out of Wales will be lifted. However, restrictions on travel to countries outside the Common Travel Area without a reasonable excuse, remain in place.

“While this easing of restrictions following the declining number of positive cases is welcome, we would remind the general public that it Coronavirus is still circulating in our communities and a large number of people have not been fully vaccinated. It is therefore vital that people observe social distancing, where face coverings when in indoor spaces, and wash hands regularly. These actions will help to prevent transmission of the virus.

“As schools return please do not send your child to school if they are unwell, even if you are not sure if they have Coronavirus.

“When you take your child to school, always keep your distance from other parents, wear a face covering, and don’t stay around and chat. Please don’t invite other children or their parents to your home to play or stay indoors, even if they are in the same bubble at school. We need to continue to limit the numbers of people we meet socially to minimise spread of the virus.

“Welsh Government restrictions state that you should not go into any other household or mix indoors with other people who you don’t live with. Currently a maximum of six people from two households can meet outdoors, including in private gardens.

“Please continue to work from home if at all possible.

“Welsh Government also announced last week that gyms and leisure centres will be able to open from 3 May - instead of 10 May - while two households can ‘bubble up’ to meet indoors from the same date. Wedding receptions outdoors for up to 30 people will be allowed from 26 April, also moving forward a week.

“Current information on the Welsh Government restrictions for Coronavirus are available at https://gov.wales/coronavirus

“This week the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provided an update on the Oxford AstraZenca vaccine following reports of an extremely rare and specific type of blood clot following vaccination.

“The AstraZeneca vaccine remains safe and effective and has already saved thousands of lives. Those who have received a first dose of the vaccine, should continue to receive a second dose.

“The risk benefit remains strongly in favour of vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine for those aged 30 and over, and those aged under 30 who have underlying health conditions which puts them at higher risk of severe outcomes from Coronavirus infection. However, adults aged 18-29 years old who do not have underlying health conditions will now be offered an alternative vaccine.

“We are making some changes to the way we publish information on our website and data dashboard.

“Starting on 17 April, we will no longer be publishing Coronavirus data or a daily statement on our website on Saturdays. However, when we do publish our reports on Sunday that will include the results and the data for the period of Saturday as well.

“We are doing this because case numbers are now low therefore any fluctuation day-to-day can give rise to potentially misleading interpretation and we want to be focusing more on the underlying trends.

“Our surveillance team will however retain the ability to ramp back up to seven day reporting if necessary.

“If you are contacted by your local TTP team then it is important that you are truthful with them about where you have been and who you have met. They are not there to judge, they are there to help prevent ongoing transmission of the virus and to protect the community.

“If you are asked to self-isolate by your local TTP team then please ensure that you do so for the full ten days – this will help break any chains of transmission.

“We urge anyone over 50 who has not yet received an invite for their vaccination to contact their local health board. Details of which can be found here: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination-if-you-think-you-have-been-missed

“We encourage everyone, whatever their background, social demographic and ethnicity, to have the vaccine when they are offered it.

“Coronavirus cases by variant in Wales are reported on the UK Government website. The dominant strain in Wales is the Kent variant, and there is currently no evidence of widespread community transmission of other Variants of Concern in Wales.

“Restrictions on UK and international travel remain in place. More information on current travel guidance is available on the Welsh Government website.

“The red list of travel ban countries has been extended, and Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan and Philippines have been added.

“If you arrived in the UK from these places before 4am on Friday 9 April, you must self-isolate for 10 days in the place you’re staying and take a Coronavirus test on day 2 and day 8.

“If you have arrived in the UK from these places after 4am on Friday 9 April, you must stay in your quarantine hotel for your 10-day quarantine period and take a Coronavirus test on day 2 and day 8.

“If you or a member of your household develop a cough, fever or change in sense of taste or smell, you must self-isolate immediately and book a free Coronavirus test, either by calling 119 or by visiting www.gov.wales/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19. Please check your local health board’s website to see if there are additional symptoms that require a test.”