General Covid 19 news

[SteveH]

COVID vaccine booster jabs could be handed out at the same time as flu vaccinations as early as September, a health board boss has revealed.

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board deputy chief executive Gill Harris said they were working with Welsh Government and local authority partners on plans to deliver booster injections from September.

Speaking at the board’s meeting on Thursday Ms Harris said plans could change, but a draft strategy would be ready to share with the board soon.

Ms Harris said workforce was being “looked at to deliver the booster” and the board was looking at keeping some space in local vaccinations centres to administer the jabs.

She said: “With regard to the (Covid vaccination) boosters we are linking with local authority colleagues and we might need pop-up centres.

“In terms of the flu vaccination we are planning in conjunction with flu – there are talks about whether we can deliver the vaccination and the booster at the same time.

“Maybe there will be a small time frame between them, or at the same time.”

She added the board remained on course to hit the Welsh Government target of vaccinating every adult in the region by the end of July.
ref Pioneer

[SteveH]

Welsh health boss thinks there is 'very high potential' for community spread of 'Indian variant'
There are 28 cases of the 'variant of concern' but others are being investigated

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-health-boss-thinks-very-20648300


A health board has revealed there are five incidences of the Indian Covid variant in North Wales-  all linked to the same returning traveller.

The news was contained in a presentation given to Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board members at their monthly meeting on Thursday.

Yesterday Public Health Wales said there were 25 confirmed cases of the variant in Wales, most linked to international travel, up from 11 the previous week.

The board’s public health director Teresa Owen also said it was working with the National Arrival Team to locate people who had returned from abroad with coronavirus symptoms.

Of around 3,000 people self-isolating in Wales 583 are in the North.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19319295.betsi-cadwaladr-health-board-says-five-indian-covid-variants-north-wales/

[SteveH]

Welsh Government monitoring situation as local lockdowns introduced in 8 Indian Covid hotspots

All but essential travel is being discouraged in eight coronavirus hotspot areas of England.
These are areas where the Covid-19 Indian variant is spreading fastest.

The UK government advice covers Bedford, Blackburn and Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Kirklees, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside.

People are being advised not to travel in and out of these areas except for essential reasons such as work or education.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-government-monitoring-situation-local-20671599

[SteveH]

People living in areas with high coronavirus infection rates are being given the chance to have their second vaccination earlier.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has sent out messages to some people in the over 50s category inviting them to make an appointment for their second dose sooner than they've been scheduled.

It comes amid the spread of the Indian variant which has been circulating in Wales.
As a result, second dose appointments in England have already been brought forward from 12 to eight weeks.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/people-high-covid-19-transmission-20675770


How the Indian variant could put the brakes on lockdown easing in Wales by June
There are fears the latest strain could hamper the further relaxing of restrictions in June

The latest strain could even be the spanner in the works of Wales moving to Alert Level One on June 4, it is feared.

On this date, First Minister, Mark Drakeford is due to announce the country's path forward during his three week review.

But it's still too early to tell if the Indian variant will lead to measures being tightened up rather than relaxed.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-indian-variant-could-put-20677516

[SteveH]

We can only hope English visitors will hear/see this message from the WG   

Visitors to Wales from Indian variant hotspot areas urged to get tested before bank holiday travel
First Minister Mark Drakeford also wants visitors to pack lateral flow tests and keep testing themselves during their stay here

First Minister, Mark Drakeford, today asked all travellers from areas in England with high levels of the India variant of concern, to take extra measures to help keep Wales safe.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/visitors-wales-indian-variant-hotspot-20685411?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

We're 'right to be anxious' about Indian Covid variant says Mark Drakeford
The First Minister said the strain is "inevitably going to come into Wales"

He said: "At the moment there's only under a hundred cases that I know of - every one of them known to have been managed by local public health teams, including some examples in schools.

"At the moment we feel we're on top of it. We're right to be anxious because the spread across the border, the greater transmissibility, we won't be immune from it in Wales."

Last week Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board revealed only five cases of the Indian variant had been recorded in North Wales, all related to one case of inward travel from abroad.

The concern about the new strain is it's ability to transmit from host to host more easily than previous strains - up to 50% more communicable according to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/were-right-anxious-indian-covid-20695962

[SteveH]

Update on above.........

Warning issued after Indian 'variant of concern' cluster recorded in three North Wales areas
18 cases are all linked and no outbreak has currently been declared

People living in three parts of Conwy are being warned to be alert for coronavirus symptoms after a cluster of a "variant of concern" was recorded.

Public Health Wales, Conwy County Borough Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are advising people living in the Llandudno Junction, Llandudno and Penrhyn Bay areas to take special care.

The call comes after a cluster of 18 confirmed or presumptive cases of the variant of concern first identified in India, VOC-21APR-02, were found in the area.

The cases are all linked, and no outbreak has currently been declared

A mobile testing unit is being made available, and members of the public living in these areas are being urged to come forward for a test.

People who have coronavirus symptoms, however mild, are invited to get a free PCR test at a mobile testing unit at Conwy Business Centre, Junction Way, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9XX.

Opening times will be 8am to 1pm and 2pm to 8pm every day. The site is a walk-in and drive through, and no appointment is required. It will be available from Saturday 29 May up to and including Sunday 6 June.

Alternatively, members of the public can access the existing drive-through testing facility on Builder Street in Llandudno, which is open 8am to 1pm seven days a week. To access this site, people will need to make an appointment by visiting the Welsh Government website or by phoning 119.

The site is also open for lateral flow self-testing kits collection from 2pm to 8pm each day.

Residents can protect themselves and others from coronavirus by remaining at least two metres away from everyone else, washing their hands regularly, and by wearing a face covering where required. They should take up the vaccine when offered, and self-isolate and get a test if they or anyone in their household develop symptoms.

Richard Firth, Consultant in Health Protection for Public Health Wales, and Chair of the multi-agency Incident Management Team, said: “The emergence of cases of this transmissible new variant of Coronavirus in the Llandudno Junction, Llandudno and Penrhyn Bay areas is a reminder that we should not become complacent, even as rates of the virus across Wales remain low.

“Please be vigilant for the symptoms of coronavirus, and get a test now. If you are contacted by contact tracers, please help to protect your community by being honest with them about your movements and complying with their instructions.

Full article  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/warning-issued-after-indian-variant-20701614

[Hugo]

I've not heard any more updates on the Indian virus in our local area but it does make you realise that we can't be too complacent.    Let's hope that that the expected influx of tourists from the North West of England do not add to the number of cases found here so far

[Blongb]

I've not heard any more updates on the Indian virus in our local area but it does make you realise that we can't be too complacent.    Let's hope that that the expected influx of tourists from the North West of England do not add to the number of cases found here so far

Human nature being what it is Hugo, it's inevitable that cases will increase, especially in Llandudno, including the Indian variant. Trouble is what's more important keeping us virus free or opening up the economy and dealing with the consequences, before the Hospitality Sector goes completely bust.

[Hugo]

Blongb.  I can't begin to imagine what it is like for anyone in the Hospitality Industry who have had to endure the lockdown regulations and the financial and mental pressures that they have gone through.     Now that we have had this excellent vaccination roll out we can try to get back  to a normal way of life but we must still continue to adhere to any rules and regulations regarding Covid

Unfortunately there are people who will continue to flout the rules and others who live in houses of multiple occupation and by their actions cases of the Indian variant of Covid will continue to rise.
I remember you posting something last year about the lack of social distancing that you had observed on the Promenade and that was why you wouldn't venture out at that time and I don't blame you as we did the same.

I saw an interview on TV recently and a woman quite smugly said that she had arranged it all herself as if it was something to be proud of.     What she had arranged was booking two holidays on the same date.     One was for a two week break in the UK and the other was for a two week break abroad and she would wait until the very last minute and if she was allowed to go abroad then she would cancel the UK holiday.    Similarly people are booking meals out and failing to show up on the day.     As if the hospitality hasn't been through enough already!
Thankfully some are asking for a deposit in advance and I don't blame them one bit

[mull]

After last nights football whats the betting the Covid numbers go up in the next 2/3 weeks especially in the Manchester area.

Not much notice being taken of protocols in Portugal or this country.

[SteveH]

The number of people sticking rigidly to Covid rules in Wales has dropped by up to a third, research suggests.

One expert who has analysed the results said there was concern "mixed messages" on the virus may have led to confusion.

One study by University College London suggests complete compliance with Covid rules fell from 60% in February to 40% in May.

The Welsh government said the emergence of new variants made it clear the pandemic was not over.

And Wales' Health Minister Eluned Morgan said on Sunday it was "going to be very difficult" to stop the spread of an Indian variant from England to Wales as she urged people to continue to comply with the rules.

Another ongoing study by Public Health Wales (PHW), which quizzes people on how the pandemic and Covid restrictions are affecting their wellbeing, also suggests complete compliance with rules has dropped - from 76% in March to 65% in May.

Dr Simon Williams, from Swansea University, said the figures from the research also suggested that the proportion of people mixing outside their family households or bubbles had also increased in Wales, from 41% of people meeting with three or more people in March, rising to 57% in May.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57281458

[mull]

Football.

Remember three weeks ago the Blue side of Glasgow celebrating winning the Accrington Stanley Premiership, and the scenes in the city.

Now rest of Scotland has gone down to Level 2 or 1 but Glasgow is being held in Level 3.

Any connection ?

[SteveH]

Covid-19: Job not done despite vaccination success, scientist warns

The success of the UK's vaccination programme does not mean that the battle with Covid is over, a scientist advising the government has said.

Prof Adam Finn said the country remained vulnerable as there were still large numbers of unvaccinated people.

More than 25 million people in the UK have had two doses of a vaccine - just under half of the adult population.
But there have been calls to delay ending Covid restrictions in England on 21 June amid warnings of a third wave.

The UK has seen a small rise in cases recently linked to the spread of the more transmissible variant first identified in India.
On Monday, the UK reported more than 3,000 new Covid infections for the sixth day in a row.

Prof Finn, from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation which advises the government on vaccine priority, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the UK needed to achieve a high coverage of immunity across the population, not just among certain groups.

"The idea that somehow the job is done is wrong - we've still got a lot of people out there who have neither had this virus infection nor yet been immunised and that's why we're in a vulnerable position right now," he said.

He said the message needed to be broadcast that "we're all in this together - everyone needs to do this (get vaccinated) for everyone".

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57313399

[SteveH]

Coronavirus LIVE: People in three areas urged to 'get tested now' amid Indian variant fears
People in the Llandudno Junction, Llandudno and Penrhyn Bay areas have been told to get tested

People living in three areas have been told to get coronavirus tests regardless of symptoms due to a spike in cases of the Indian variant.

Anyone living in the Llandudno Junction, Llandudno and Penrhyn Bay areas have been urged to be alert to symptoms and get a test for Covid-19.

The call comes after a further 35 confirmed or presumptive cases of the variant of concern were found over the Bank Holiday weekend.

For residents without symptoms, lateral flow tests are available for collection from the Mobile Test Unit at Ysgol Awel y Mynydd Sarn Mynach, Llandudno Junction, Conwy, LL31 9RZ.

This is a walk in/drive through centre, no appointment is necessary and is open from 8am to 8pm (closed between 1pm and 2pm).

Anyone with symptoms should go to Conwy Business Centre, Junction Way, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9XX for a PCR test.

This is a walk in/drive through centre, no appointment is necessary and is open from 8am to 8pm (closed between 1pm and 2pm).

This is part of a continuing LIVE report follow DP link here https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/coronavirus-live-people-three-areas-20723035?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589



More news
8 measures for tackling Indian variant in Wales as experts deliver 'worst case' warning
Scientists are urging ministers to remain 'highly cautious' urging them to ‘act early, harder, wider and deeper’

“Whilst emerging evidence suggests that two doses of vaccine is effective against the new variant, the potential 50% increase in transmission alongside a moderate impact on one dose of vaccine may be sufficient to put pressure on NHS services and increase deaths in Wales."

The measures are outlined below..........

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/8-measures-tackling-indian-variant-20717696?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589