General Covid 19 news

[Hugo]

I completely agree with your comments, also I think the police "treat as they find" if you want to be bolshie, then accept the consequences .

That selfish, arrogant,  stupid man wasted three hours of valuable Police time and deserved to have the book thrown at him.   

[Hugo]

I completely agree with your comments, also I think the police "treat as they find" if you want to be bolshie, then accept the consequences .

That selfish, arrogant,  stupid man wasted three hours of valuable Police time and deserved to have the book thrown at him.

They say it takes one idiot to recognise another and it's true in this case.    the two of them seem to have chips on both shoulders!

https://cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffian/2021/02/16/senedd-member-spoken-to-by-police-for-allegedly-breaking-lockdown-regulations/

[Hugo]

I thought that this guy was an idiot but here's the proof.       

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/lockdown-ice-cream-trip-man-19949696

[Ian]

Conspiracy theories are, apparently, rife among the Polish.

[SteveH]

Vaughan Gething has cast doubt on the idea that music festivals in summer or foreign holidays in spring could take place.

Wales' health minister said he would be "delighted to be wrong" if such events could take place, but said that scientific and medical advice did not suggest that would be possible.

He also said he was doubtful of sporting fixtures with large crowds taking place in the summer.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wales-health-minister-casts-doubt-19961485?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Two more articles today, sort of linked, "Welsh field hospitals never exceeded a tenth of capacity - but could still be kept for

next winter" which seems a very good idea, bearing in mind the next story "North Wales ICU doctor believes third wave of coronavirus is 'inevitable'

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-field-hospitals-never-exceeded-19961288

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-icu-doctor-believes-19962252

[Hugo]

Covid in Wales: 'Stay local' rule considered for next review       

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56311143

[SteveH]

Unpaid carers in Wales can now apply to get a Covid-19 vaccine.

The Welsh Government has launched a new online self-referral form for people who provide care but who may not be registered as an unpaid carer with their GP.

Those already registered as unpaid carers with their GP don’t have to apply as they will be contacted by their practice in the next couple of weeks.

Last month, unpaid carers in Wales were added to vaccination priority group six, which is targeted at people aged 16-65 with underlying health conditions.

The new self-referral forms are now available on local health board websites.

Applicants should complete the form with the health board area in which they live – or the health board area in which their GP is based.

Once the form is submitted, the health board will arrange for the information to be uploaded to the Welsh Immunisation System (WIS) and a vaccine appointment will be issued.................................

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/thousands-unpaid-carers-wales-can-19998801

[SteveH]

Covid-19 vaccination update: BCUHB say they are 'on course' to meet the Welsh Government’s target

MORE than 270,000 vaccinations have been administered in North Wales.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) say they remain "on course" to meet the Welsh Government’s target of offering vaccination to Priority Groups one to nine by April 19, subject to vaccine supplies.

Up until March 7, BCUHB had provided a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to 84 per cent of people aged 65-69 (Priority Group 5) and almost a third of people aged 16-65 with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality (Priority Group 6).

During the coming week, thanks to a significant increase in supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine, BCUHB will be able to accelerate the vaccination roll-out across our network of primary care partners.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19149542.covid-19-vaccination-update-bcuhb-say-on-course-meet-welsh-governments-target/

[SteveH]

Update on above......

Vaccination boss explains why people younger than you might have been jabbed first
Questions have been raised about discrepancies in Wales when people are getting appointments

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Dr Gill Richardson, chair of the Wales Covid-19 vaccination programme, explained why, for instance, a person in their 50s might get a jab before somebody in their 60s.

She said: "For the rest of the population, as they go down [age groups], each health board is looking at what is the best and swiftest operational way of covering their population.

"So for some areas they may have allocated certain groups to the GPs, that might be the clinically vulnerable for instance, or it may be a particular age group.

"And then for other health boards they may have a different strategy.

"So for each health board area, there is a clear plan that's described, usually on the health board website, and you can look and see where you're going to be."

Full article   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/vaccination-boss-explains-people-younger-20038613

[Hugo]

17 test positive for coronavirus at top North Wales boarding school
Conwy Council confirmed the outbreak St David's College in Llandudno


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/17-test-positive-coronavirus-top-20024848

[SteveH]

Public Health Wales can show exactly how our different communities compare with their mapping feature which was first added to the daily update provided by health officials in response to monitoring COVID-19 in October 2020.

It presents data broken down beyond the standard local authority areas that people could previously access and now shows how individual communities compare.

The data is gathered using Office of National Statistics figures of middle layer super output areas (MSOAs) and present the rolling number of cases in either a seven-day or 21-day window.

Here’s what we found in Conwy:
The latest data continues to paint a really positive picture the county as levels remain consistently low in many areas.
Most communities remain in single figures - with some even reaching the lowest bracket of less than three identifiable cases.

The figures reveal that, during the latest seven-day period, the Llanfairfechan and Penmawnmawr area has recorded the most coronavirus reports with 15 cases and a rate of 192.2 cases per 100,000 people.

• Abergele – Five cases and rate of 46.0 cases per 100,000 people
• Betws-yn-Rhos, Llangernyw and Llansannan – 0-2 cases and rate of less than 29 cases per 100,000 people
• Colwyn Bay North – 0-2 cases and rate of less than 33 cases per 100,000 people
• Conwy and Afon Roe – 10 cases and rate of 140.1 cases per 100,000 people
• Kinmel Bay and Towyn – Four cases and rate of 47.9 cases per 100,000 people
• Llandudno Junction North and Deganwy – Five cases and rate of 52.0 cases per 100,000 people
• Llandudno Junction South and Llasanffraid – 0-2 cases and rate of less than 28 cases per 100,000 people
• Llandudno South – Six cases and rate of 85.7 cases per 100,000 people
• Llandudno Town and Gogarth – 0-2 cases and rate of less than 23 cases per 100,000 people
• Llanfairfechan and Penmawnmawr – 15 cases and rate of 192.2 cases per 100,000 people
• Llanrwst and Betws-y-coed – 0-2 cases and rate of less than 24 cases per 100,000 people
• Old Colwyn and Llanddulas – Three cases and rate of 34.7 cases per 100,000 people
• Penrhyn Bay – 10 cases and rate of 160.8 cases per 100,000 people
• Rhos-on-Sea – Three cases and rate of 49.9 cases per 100,000 people
• Upper Colwyn Bay – Six cases and rate of 79.1 cases per 100,000 people

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19152690.latest-heat-map-shows-denbighshire-conwys-community-coronavirus-figures-compare/

[SteveH]

THE Welsh Government will lift the “stay at home” requirement in Wales from tomorrow, and replace it with “stay local”, as part of a careful, cautious and phased approach to relaxing coronavirus restrictions, First Minister Mark Drakeford will announce today.

From tomorrow (Saturday 13 March), four people from two households will be able to meet outdoors to socialise, including in gardens. In addition, outdoor sports facilities, including basketball courts, tennis courts and golf courses, can reopen, and indoor care home visits will restart, for single designated visitors.

From Monday, all primary pupils and those in qualifications years will return. Schools will have the flexibility to bring year 10 and 12 learners back and more learners will return to colleges.

There will also be flexibility for in-school check-ins for all other pupils. All learners will return after the Easter break.

Hairdressers and barbers will re-open for appointments from Monday.

From 22 March non-essential retail will start re-opening gradually as the restrictions are lifted on what can be sold in shops which are currently open. Garden centres will also be able to open. All shops, including all close contact services, will be able to open from 12 April – the same date as in England.

The First Minister will say: “We are taking a phased approach to unlocking each sector – starting with schools. We will make step-by-step changes each week to gradually restore freedoms. We will monitor each change we make, so we know what impact each change has had on Wales’ public health situation.”                                                     ref Pioneer

[SteveH]

20 symptoms of Covid-19 uncovered by 'largest ongoing study' into virus and endorsed by NHS Wales
The COVID Symptom Study, which is also approved by the Welsh Government, has collected data on symptoms of coronavirus

There are at least 20 symptoms of Covid-19, according to "the world’s largest ongoing study" of the virus.

The COVID Symptom Study, created by health science company ZOE, was launched in March last year and more than four million people have logged symptoms and experiences throughout the pandemic.

The research, endorsed by the Welsh Government and NHS Wales, recently shared information on the different symptoms of coronavirus based on the "millions of daily health reports" logged by contributors.

It stated that the 20 known symptoms - though there could be more - include common signs such as a persistent cough as well as lesser known symptoms such as a skin rash, muscle pain and red fingers.

Sharing their findings last week,researchers said: "Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean it's definitely due to COVID-19, as they can also occur with other illnesses.

High temperature (fever)
Chills or shivers
Persistent cough
Loss or change in smell (anosmia)
Loss or change in taste (dysgeusia)
Headache
Unusual tiredness (fatigue)
Sore throat
Sudden confusion (delirium) - especially in older people
Skin rash
Changes in the mouth or tongue
Red and sore fingers or toes
Shortness of breath
Chest pains
Muscle pains
Hoarse voice
Diarrhoea
Skipping meals
Abdominal pains
Runny nose
Fever, a persistent cough and a loss of smell or taste are considered the "main symptoms" of coronavirus by the NHS, which previously said that most people with Covid-19 have at least one of these symptoms.

Full article https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/20-symptoms-covid-19-uncovered-20227541

[SteveH]

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board reveals when rainbow hospital sites will close in North Wales

DATES for when North Wales rainbow hospitals are expected to close their doors have been revealed.

When the pandemic broke out in Wales, health boards made additional provision across the country to keep pressure off the main hospitals coping with

Today, March 23, BCUHB’s executive director of planning and performance Mark Wilkinson, confirmed that all three hospitals in North Wales will be handed back later this year.

He said: “Our three Rainbow Hospitals were established at the beginning of the pandemic to ensure that we were able to respond to the worst case scenario of our existing hospitals becoming overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

“All three hospitals have since been utilised as COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Centres, but we have only needed to provide inpatient care at Ysbyty Enfys Deeside.

“Demand for beds at Deeside has reduced significantly in recent weeks, because of lockdown measures and the continued rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Because we are confident that we can accommodate demand at our existing sites, the inpatient beds at Ysbyty Enfys Deeside will close this Friday 26 March.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19181598.betsi-cadwaladr-university-health-board-reveals-rainbow-hospital-sites-will-close-north-wales/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589