General Covid 19 news

[SteveH]

PEOPLE wanting to visit loved ones in hospitals across North Wales are being reminded that restrictions remain in place, despite updated guidance from the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government has publishing revised NHS Wales hospital visiting guidance which commenced from 20 July 2020.

This supersedes previous published guidance of 25 March and 20 April 2020.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said they are urgently working on how to implement the latest guidance safely but will not be able to do this for all patients at this time.

A spokesperson for the health board added: "Before we can implement this guidance, we must ensure that it is as safe as possible for everyone to maintain social distancing.

"We hope to be able to introduce the new arrangements in a phased way and further information will follow. If you have an appointment, please contact your midwife or ultrasound department to discuss this.

"We appreciate that it is a difficult time for everyone and we will continue to support the well-being of our patients / service users and their families and loved ones in the best way we can."

"Thank you for your ongoing patience during this time."

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18599003.bcuhb-working-implement-new-guidance-hospital-visiting-welsh-government-restrictions-remain-glan-clwyd-ysbyty-gwynedd-wrexham-maelor-now/

[SteveH]

CINEMAS, museums and beauty salons can reopen from Monday, as Wales’ coronavirus restrictions continue to be relaxed, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today.

Tourist accommodation with shared facilities, such as camping sites and all hotels will be able to re-open from Saturday (July 25) as will underground attractions, marking the full re-opening of Wales’ visitor attractions.

cont    https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18603137.cinemas-museums-beauty-salons-can-reopen-monday-first-minister-confirms/

[SteveH]

Health bosses in North Wales are urging people to wear masks at hospital sites as Wrexham experiences a spike in coronavirus cases.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has issued a fresh statement after it was confirmed that more than 40 people were currently in hospital with Covid-19 in Wrexham.

They are now asking people in public parts of hospital buildings to wear a face covering.

Gill Harris, executive director of nursing and midwifery at the health board, said: “Although the number of cases of Covid-19 in North Wales is currently low, over the past couple of weeks, there has been an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the Wrexham area.

“We ask that people continue to avoid coming into our hospitals with any Covid-19 symptoms and avoid visiting the Wrexham Maelor Hospital Emergency Department unless it is necessary.

cont   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-health-chiefs-issue-18662310

[Hugo]

Health bosses in North Wales are urging people to wear masks at hospital sites as Wrexham experiences a spike in coronavirus cases.
cont   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-health-chiefs-issue-18662310

I had to go to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd recently for a follow up check and they won't let you go in without a mask, if you don't have one then they will provide one for you.     Only the patient is allowed in so my wife had to wait in the car for me.      Inside the building seating is arranged for social distancing of 2 metres so they have done as much as they can to stop the spread of the virus within the hospital and I just hope that all their efforts have done the trick

[SteveH]

This story has caused the expected comments on social media FB, and if true, it does raise a lot of questions.


Spurned after coming to the NHS rescue.

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/scottish-daily-mail/20200713/282965337397388?fbclid=IwAR3-Uk9PxEUEzPRBO-d7c_ncjH56wq3acvStLRu6Su1mUUQhyOb6CBsuioQ

[Ian]

Fairly typical of our wonderful government.

[Hugo]

I went to the Water Garden Nursery  in Kinmel Bay yesterday and was very impressed by everything there and afterwards we drove to Towyn to see a friend who is shielding there.   
We decided to go to Towyn via the Coast Road and what an eye opener.    The traffic was horrendous, nose to tail all the way from Kinmel Bay to Towyn and it was stop start all the time.
Towyn was heaving with the tourists, the funfairs were busy and people were having their meals outside and everyone seemed to be having a great time
However social distancing was the last thing on their mind so be afraid, be very afraid.   I just hope that the tourists go home with just happy memories and don't leave or take the virus with them

[SteveH]

Rules that face coverings must be worn on public transport come into force across Wales today

From Monday, July 27, people travelling on public transport – including taxis – must wear face coverings in Wales.
cont    https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18606017.rules-face-coverings-must-worn-public-transport-come-force-across-wales-today/


Lockdown easing Wales: List of things reopening today
https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18609106.lockdown-easing-wales-list-things-reopening-today/

[SteveH]

A GP surgery is urging patients to provide the correct information about possible coronavirus symptoms after some turned up with a cough.

Rooms at Corwen Family Practice have had to be shut down for deep cleaning and employees have been put at "high risk" after several people who attended revealed they had a cough.

"On behalf of all the staff at the practice could we please ask that when we ask if you, a member of your household or 'social bubble' have possible Covid-19 symptoms (temperature, cough or lack of smell/taste) that you answer correctly either by text or telephone before attending for an appointment.

"We have had several patients attend and only inform us after entering the building that they have a cough.

More   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/surgery-warns-patients-answer-correctly-18680574

[SteveH]

Interesting bit of insight ...............

Mark Drakeford has been living in 'miniature hut' at the bottom of his garden for months - here's why
He told how he made the decision in a bid to protect his family from the threat of coronavirus

Quote from the story....
"Shielding comes to an end in Wales on August 16, but the First Minister has said that he and his family would continue to be "cautious".

"Their health conditions will still be there, and they will both, I think, quite rightly want to go on being careful and cautious," he said, adding that the family would see each outdoors more often than indoors in order to reduce the risk."

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/first-minister-mark-drakeford-been-18692030

[Ian]

From NS today:

"Virologists have been excluded from UK government discussions on how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, says the UK Clinical Virology Network, which represents researchers in the field. Virologists say they were not consulted about the government’s purchase of new 90 minute tests for the coronavirus and other respiratory viruses from two UK companies, which was announced yesterday. The group sent a letter to government scientific and medical advisors, Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty in July but say they have not heard back. “It just seems there is a rush to do everything privately,” Will Irving, one of the signatories at the University of Nottingham, told the Guardian"

[SteveH]

Looks like the relaxing of the rules, has resulted in the return of unthinking behavior......................

Patients have been turning up at an "extremely busy" North Wales A&E unit with complaints of earache and back pain.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has issued a warning to patients after Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor became extremely busy on Tuesday afternoon.

They said that patients should think carefully about whether to attend an emergency department after some turned out with minor ailments.

"Minor injuries or illnesses can be treated by either visiting a GP, pharmacy or at our minor injury units.

"Help us by choosing the appropriate health care service for your needs.

"Do you really need to visit the Hospital  Emergency  Department?"                                           refDP

[Hugo]

In my mail I had yesterday was a copy of The Epoch Times,  I've never heard of the paper before and it was going straight into the recycling bin until I read the headlines on the front page which said:-
CCP VIRUS SPECIAL REPORT
How China's Communist Regime endangered the world.

I haven't read all the 8 pages of the paper but have kept it so I can read it in the future but each page is scathing in it's attack on China and the virus.  I don't know if any of my neighbours have also received a copy of the paper but has anyone else on the forum come across this free paper before?

[Blongb]

In my mail I had yesterday was a copy of The Epoch Times,  I've never heard of the paper before and it was going straight into the recycling bin until I read the headlines on the front page which said:-
CCP VIRUS SPECIAL REPORT
How China's Communist Regime endangered the world.

I haven't read all the 8 pages of the paper but have kept it so I can read it in the future but each page is scathing in it's attack on China and the virus.  I don't know if any of my neighbours have also received a copy of the paper but has anyone else on the forum come across this free paper before?

The Epoch Times is an international multi-language newspaper and media company affiliated with the anti-communist Falun Gong new religious movement, that alone should start ringing alarm bells if you want to find some unvarnished truth Hugo.

[Hugo]

I've read the Epoch Times now and it puts into print what a lot of people are thinking anyway.    China is one of a number of powerful countries where democracy of any type simply doesn't exist
Worryingly too is China's expansion aims, especially in the South China Sea where China is concerned about the American influence in the area.

One night when I couldn't sleep I put the TV on and the programme was about China's actions in the South China Sea.     It was quite disturbing to see and what they were doing was pumping sand from the sea bed into the centre of the Atolls in the sea, thus making the atoll  into an island and then claiming it as Chinese territory.
In the future I wouldn't be surprised if China makes a claim to Mongolia and does something similar to what they did to Tibet