General Covid 19 news

[SteveH]

All over-18s will be offered a Covid vaccine by the start of next week, Mark Drakeford has announced.

Wales expects to reach 75% take-up for first jabs across all priority groups and age groups a month ahead of target, the first minister said.

The original milestone was the end of July.

The focus will now move to maximising vaccine coverage for all by ensuring everyone is offered a second dose by the end of September and that no one is left behind, the Welsh Government said.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-government-issues-urgent-vaccine-20757558

[SteveH]

A councillor says his colleagues should be advising people in areas affected by the “frightening” Delta variant to get a Covid test, even if they’ve been vaccinated.

That’s the advice of Conwy county councillor Ronnie Hughes who said he’d had two vaccinations but still had a Covid test, as advised by Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

It comes as 54 “confirmed or presumptive” cases of the Delta variant have been discovered in Conwy county, forcing more than 300 people to self-isolate as a precaution.

“We would like to thank those who took the time during half-term to be tested, and we encourage others living in Llandudno Junction, Llandudno, Penrhyn Bay, Rhos on Sea, Colwyn Bay, Old Colwyn, Deganwy and Conwy to get a free PCR Covid-19 test at our mobile testing unit if you have symptoms, however mild, to prevent the Delta variant spreading further, or residents without symptoms can collect a free lateral flow test.

“The emergence of the new Delta variant is a reminder we must continue to remain vigilant and protect ourselves and others by mixing outdoors rather than indoors, stay two metres apart, washing our hands regularly and wearing face coverings.”

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19356539.conwy-councillor-promotes-use-covid-testing-labelling-delta-variant-frightening/

[SteveH]

A NEW online booking system has been launched which makes it easier for people to book their first Covid jab.

A first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine has now been offered to all eligible adults in North Wales.

As of June 8, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said 84 per cent of all eligible adults in North Wales, including 64 per-cent of 18-29 year-olds, have now had a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while half of the eligible population have had the full protection of both doses.

The health board is now urging the 87,500 people who are yet to come forward for their vaccine to book an appointment using the new online service.

Dr Jim McGuigan, a Flintshire GP and Assistant Medical Director for the East Area of BCUHB, said: “We’re urging those who have not yet received a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to book an appointment on our website as soon as possible.

“Vaccination provides the best protection from becoming seriously ill with Covid-19, and it is our best way to get back to normality, avoiding a potential third wave lockdown.

“Evidence shows that the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are highly effective against the strain of the Delta variant of Covid-19 after two doses, so it’s very important that people continue to attend their second dose appointments when invited.

Those who live in and are registered with a GP in North Wales can book a Covid-19 vaccination appointment on the BCUHB website.

Visit: bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-online-booking

Those who are unable to book online are advised to call the health board’s Covid-19 vaccination contact centre on 03000 840004.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/llandudno/19359368.people-north-wales-havent-first-covid-19-jab-urged-book-appointment-online/

[Hugo]

It's not Coovid or the Indian variant but whatever next?


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cases-rare-monkeypox-virus-confirmed-20784522

[SteveH]

A PRIMARY school sent a number of year groups home after a pupil received a positive PCR test.

A total of 150 children at Ysgol Craig Y Don in Llandudno are self-isolating.

A letter, seen by the Pioneer, that was sent to parents on June 10 said: "We have been informed that one of our pupils has received a positive Covid-19 PCR test result. As a precautionary measure we are asking that parents of pupils in the following classes collect their children as soon as possible."

Year three, year four and year five groups were affected.

A spokesperson from Conwy County Borough Council confirmed that 150 pupils had been instructed to isolate by Test, Trace, Protect (TTP).

They added: "TTP will have instructed those required to isolate and their last date of isolation.

"Those individuals who have been requested to isolate by TTP will continue to do so until their last day of isolation."

Public Health Wales is urging people to stick to social distancing rules and to take up the offer of a vaccine following a significant increase in the number of Delta variant (VOC-21APR-02) cases of Coronavirus.

[SteveH]

Delaying a final end to coronavirus restrictions by four weeks will help prevent Britain from "slipping into another lockdown", according to an expert advising the Government.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the SPI-M modelling group, said pushing back the final lifting of restrictions will give scientists a chance to assess whether a rise in coronavirus cases is leading to a corresponding increase in hospital admissions.

"The key thing now is not just looking at cases but really trying to establish the link between cases and hospital admissions," he said.

"We are starting to see early signals that hospital admissions are going up, but it is just slightly unclear exactly how much we may expect them to go up over the next couple of weeks given the vaccines are playing a very key role.

"Of course they (the vaccines) are not 100 per cent perfect so we need to be cautious. We don't want to go backwards when it comes to control, we don't want to be slipping into another lockdown."

It comes amid reports that Boris Johnson will delay the June 21 "freedom day" following another sharp rise in cases of the Indian or Delta variant, with plans under way to use the time to push harder on the vaccine rollout.                  ref Telegraph

[SteveH]

Cases of the Indian variant are continuing to soar across the UK, with nearly 30,000 more infections recorded in the last week alone.

Public Health England (PHE) confirmed on Friday that UK cases of the highly transmissible Delta strain first spotted in India have jumped to 42,323 in total - a dramatic rise from 12,341 last week.

In England, 39,061 cases of the variant have now been confirmed, while Scotland has seen 3,035 and Northern Ireland 43. Public Health Wales (PHW) said on Thursday that there are 184 identified cases in Wales, with seaside areas of Conwy reporting the highest levels at present.                  ref walesonline

[SteveH]

Ridiculous considering Wrexham is a high risk area at the moment..............

Around 400 people failed to turn up for their jabs at a vaccination centre in Wrexham on Sunday, according to a local GP.

Alyn Family Doctors, who have surgeries in Llay, Gresford and Rossett, said that 38% of patients who were booked in for jabs at the Royal British Legion in Llay did not attend their planned appointments.

The no shows forced the centre to fill the empty slots at the last minute - placing a "huge admin burden" on staff

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/400-people-fail-turn-up-20808936

[Hugo]

What an earth is up with some people?      I bet that they didn't even have the decency to advise anyone that they were unable to attend.
It's a certain type that will do this type of thing but they will be the first to moan if restrictions are not lifted         

[Hugo]

It's not news but I've only just found out that the South African variant is now called the Beta variant and the Brazilian variant is now called the Gamma variant.
I've looked online but can't see what the China variant is now called,  perhaps it's the Omega variant and the last one the WHO  haven't yet been able to find?

[SteveH]

A headache, sore throat and runny nose are now the most commonly reported symptoms linked to Covid infection in the UK, researchers say.

Prof Tim Spector, who runs the Zoe Covid Symptom study, says catching the Delta variant can feel "more like a bad cold" for younger people.

But although they may not feel very ill, they could be contagious and put others at risk.

Anyone who thinks they may have Covid should take a test.

The classic Covid symptoms people should look out for, the NHS says, are:
cough
fever
loss of smell or taste
But Prof Spector says these are now less common, based on the data the Zoe team has been receiving from thousands of people who have logged their symptoms on an app.

"Since the start of May, we have been looking at the top symptoms in the app users - and they are not the same as they were," he says.

The change appears linked to the rise in the Delta variant, first identified in India and now accounting for 90% of Covid cases in the UK.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57467051

[SteveH]

Covid cases are estimated to be doubling every 11 days in North Wales, according to a report.

Incidents of Covid-19 remain low in Wales, but whereas other parts of the country are seeing them drop, North Wales has seen the biggest rise in recent weeks, with an R rate of 1.8

That's according to figures from the Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Cell (TAC), advice summary for June 8, which was published yesterday (June 14)

The report said: "At a regional level there is considerable variability, with PHW estimating the lowest Rt in Aneurin Bevan at 0.51 with a halving time of just under 9 days and the highest in Betsi Cadwaladr at 1.8, with a doubling time of 11 days."

It said, as of June 2, case numbers in Wales had increased slightly to 9.3 cases per 100,000 population, compared to 8.4 the previous week, although there were considerable regional variations.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-coronavirus-cases-doubling-20821551

[SteveH]

A pupil at a Conwy county high school has tested positive for coronavirus.

An e-mail has been sent out to the parents of Year 9 pupils at Ysgol y Creuddyn in Penrhyn Bay near Llandudno telling them that one of the pupils in that year has tested positive for Covid-19.

The information has also been sent to the parents of learners who travelled on the 4B and 4B DUPE school bus (the Old Colwyn route) asking them to also self-isolate.

Pupils from other years in the school and those who do not travel on the bus have been told is is safe for them to attend school as normal.

The letter says: "NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect has been informed of a positive result for COVID-19 in a Learner at

"The school is working closely with Public Health Wales, the Local Authority and NHS Wales Test, Trace and Protect to ensure that all the appropriate measures are in place to protect learners, staff and the wider community.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/entire-school-year-group-bus-20833027

[SteveH]

The Welsh Government will not make it compulsory for care staff to have a Covid-19 vaccination, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

Mr Drakeford told Sky News: “We already have very high levels of take-up of the vaccination amongst care home staff and we’ve done that by persuasion and by conversation and voluntarily.

“Well over 90% of our care home staff have had a first dose and nearly 90% have had a second dos

“So we’re pressing ahead to try to make sure we have those remaining staff members offered the vaccine, taking up the vaccine, but if you can do it voluntarily then I think that is a much stronger basis from which to go on persuading people to do the right thing.

“I certainly think that they ought to, that’s definitely our position here, but there is a very big step taken when you move into compulsion.

“Our belief is that actually it would undermine our programme in Wales, which has been the most successful in the United Kingdom, and has been done on the basis of people knowing that when they come forward for vaccination, they are helping themselves of course but they are helping everybody else as well.

“That sense of voluntary participation in the programme is very important to us and has been part of our success.”   ref Pioneer

[SteveH]

lCoronavirus LIVE: Some comments from today's the press conference

Mark Drakeford says 97% of new Covid cases in North Wales are Delta variant

On the topic of people missing their appointments, Mr Drakeford said that this has not yet resulted in vaccines going to waste, but as more people get vaccinated, the "reserve pool" becomes smaller, which means that if people continue to miss their appointments in the future, some vaccines will go to waste.

The First Minister stressed: "Please turn up. That vaccine is there for you and will matter to you."

Full report  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/coronavirus-live-mark-drakeford-issue-20846076