REPORTS ITS FIRST DEATH
APATIENT from Wrexham became the first to die of coronavirus in Wales. The 68-year-old, who had underlying health conditions, was being treated at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
The announcement was made on Monday by the chief medical officer, Dr Frank Atherton.
He said: “It is with regret that today I am confirming a patient in Wales has sadly died after contracting Covid19.
“I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their request for privacy is respected.
“The patient, who had underlying health conditions, was 68 years old and was being treated at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.”
So far, 124 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Wales – including six in North Wales.
They now include two on Anglesey, two in Wrexham, one in Conwy and one in Flintshire.
Denbighshire and Gwynedd have no reported cases, according to Public Health Wales.
But the residential areas of 12 of the new 30 cases announced on Monday morning have yet to be confirmed.
Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the novel coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said on Monday: “We can confirm that 30 new cases have tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 124.
“We are working with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and others now that we have entered the ‘delay’ phase.
“This is now not just an attempt to contain the disease, as far as possible, but to delay its spread.”
People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have the illness.
Instead, anyone who has a high temperature or a new continuous cough should stay at home for seven days. They should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.
Dr Shankar added: “The public play an important role in this new phase.
“By following the latest advice, you will protect yourself, protect the most vulnerable, and delay and flatten the peak, which will reduce the pressure on NHS Wales and minimise the impact of the virus.
“The move into the ‘delay’ phase, will include working closely with health boards, NHS 111 and the Welsh Government towards transitioning away from community testing and contact tracing.
“Testing will now focus on cases admitted to hospital, in line with national guidance, and based on symptoms and severity.
“The move away from community testing gives us greater capacity to test in hospital settings, where the most vulnerable patients will be cared for.
“While there is no longer a need to identify every case through community testing, we will still need to and will be able to report on novel coronavirus level in Wales.
“In a similar way to our seasonal flu reporting, we will be undertaking routine novel coronavirus surveillance which will help us understand the picture in Wales.”
BANGOR University is to stop all face-to-face teaching until the end of the academic year in response to coronavius.
The university said all teaching to undergraduate and “taught postgraduate students” would be delivered online from next Monday due to the outbreak.
A statement from vice-chancellor Professor Iwan Davies said: “Due to the fast changing situation regarding Covid-19, and in line with many other universities, the university executive has taken the decision to suspend all face to face teaching with immediate effect, until the end of the academic year. Instead, from Monday 23rd March all teaching and other learning materials will be delivered online to enable you to continue with your studies. This applies to undergraduate and taught postgraduate students. The university is taking these steps for the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, students and the wider community.”
The university said students could return home if they wanted.
Prof Davies said: “Whilst there is no expectation for students to leave the university, this transition week from face to face to online teaching provides an opportunity for you to return home should you wish, especially due to the ever changing travel situation. Students who return home will not be disadvantaged.
“This transition week also allows for staff to further prepare for online teaching. Postgraduate research students should contact their supervisor to discuss their studies.
He said the summer exams were “likely to be affected” and added: “The university remains open as usual, including halls and libraries, and staff will be available to provide advice and pastoral care to students.”