Improvement in locked-down borough as virus infections rate falls below neighbour
THE rate of coronavirus infections in Caerphilly has now fallen below Rhondda Cynon Taf, the latest update from Public Health Wales has shown.
One new death of a person diagnosed with Covid19 was confirmed in Wales yesterday, meaning four new deaths have been reported in the last 48 hours. A further 185 new lab-confirmed cases of the virus were also reported yesterday.
Four local authority areas are being closely monitored for rising rates of coronavirus including Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Newport.
In RCT, the weekly rate of infection has hit 83.7 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Caerphilly at 73.5. The news means Caerphilly has shown a sustained improvement from the peak of well over 90 cases for every 100k people.
However Dr Robin Howe at Public Health Wales said that their figures were showing a steady increase in cases in many communities.
He said: “A steady increase in cases in many communities across Wales, and our investigations show that many of these have been transmitted due to a lack of social distancing.”
The rate in Merthyr has jumped again and is now 56.4, compared to 46.4 on Thursday and 39.8 on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, in Newport, the seven-day rate is 36.9, down from 39.4 on Thursday and 47.8 cases per 100,000 on Wednesday.
Two other areas, Bridgend
and Blaenau Gwent, have seen rises and are now over 30 cases for every 100k people.
Across Wales, the closely-watched seven day infection rate is now 23.5 cases for every 100,000 people - with little change on Thursday.
The overall number of new cases on Friday brings the total number to 20,233 in Wales.
These are the key details on Friday: ■ Deaths reported today: 1 ■ Cases reported today: 185 (compared to 168 on Thursday) ■ Number of new tests: 10,784 (up from 9,797 on Thursday) ■ Total deaths with labconfirmed coronavirus in Wales: 1,601 ■ Rhondda Cynon Taf had the highest number of new cases at 45, compared to 32 new cases on Thursday. ■ Caerphilly and Newport each had the second highest number of cases at 18, while Bridgend followed with 16. ■ Swansea recorded 13 new cases, while Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil each had 11. ■ Carmarthenshire had 10, while Conwy and Flintshire both had 11 cases each. ■ Neath Port Talbot, Vale of Glamorgan and Anglesey each had four new cases. ■ Wrexham, Gwynedd and Blaenau Gwent each had three cases, while Monmouthshire had two. ■ Torfaen, Denbighshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys all recorded just one case each. These are the areas with the highest seven-day rolling totals for new cases. All figures are reported as cases adjusted for population (per 100,000 people): ■ Aneurin Bevan University Health Board ■ Caerphilly: 73.5 (Down) ■ Newport: 36.9 (Down) ■ Blaenau Gwent: 35.8 (Up) ■ Torfaen: 12.8 (Down) ■ Monmouthshire: 5.3 (Up) ■ Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board ■ Conwy: 18.8 (Up) ■ Flintshire: 17.3 (Up) ■ Anglesey: 11.4 (Unchanged) ■ Gwynedd: 8.8 (Down) ■ Denbighshire: 8.4 (Down) ■ Wrexham: 7.4 (Up) ■ Cardiff and Vale University Health Board ■ Cardiff: 15.0 (Down) ■ Vale of Glamorgan: 9.0 (Up) ■ Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board ■ Rhondda Cynon Taf: 83.7 (Unchanged) ■ Merthyr Tydfil: (Up) ■ Bridgend: 30.6 (Up) ■ Hywel Dda University Health Board ■ Carmarthenshire: (Up) ■ Pembrokeshire: (Down) ■ Ceredigion: (Unchanged) ■ Powys Teaching Health Board ■ Powys: 9.1 (Up) ■ Swansea Bay University Health Board ■ Swansea: 12.1 (Up) ■ Neath Port Talbot: 7.7 (Down) ■ Wales (Down)
Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public overall: 56.4 7.4 3.2 1.4 23.5
Health Wales, said: “We are now seeing a steady increase in cases in many communities across Wales, and our investigations show that many of these have been transmitted due to a lack of social distancing.
“We are also seeing an increase in the number of people who are seriously ill and have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19.
“Coronavirus has not gone away. It remains the responsibility of everyone to help prevent the spread of this virus to protect older and vulnerable family members and friends. They should do this by self-isolating when asked to do so, staying two metres away from others, and by washing hands regularly.
“Public Health Wales supports the restrictions which have been put in place in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf by the Welsh Government and local authorities. The full list of rules for these areas can be found on the Welsh Government website, by clicking here for Caerphilly and here for Rhondda Cynon Taf
“Members of the public in Newport are also being advised of the need to be vigilant for the symptoms of Coronavirus, and of the vital need to stick to social distancing guidelines, as a rise in cases there causes concern.
“Face coverings are now mandatory for everyone over age 11 in public places, and only six people from an extended household can meet now indoors in areas of Wales where local restrictions do not apply.”