Infection rates falling across county
THE latest coronavirus case numbers and infection rates in Carmarthenshire have been released by Public Health Wales.
The latest data, published on Friday afternoon, shows that the county’s latest infection rate is 405.3 per 100,000 population, based on figures for the seven days up to January 3.
In that time there were 765 new cases confirmed after 3,541 tests, with a positive proportion rate of 21.6%.
The rate has decreased considerably in the past few weeks during a period of national lockdown, which was implemented before Christmas.
In the seven days up to that point, the infection rate was at 715.7.
A few days before that it had been as high as 742.2.
But the reasons behind the fall, which has been repeated in other parts of Wales, are not yet clear and have been muddied somewhat by the Christmas and new year break.
Despite the recent drop in the infection rate, it remains high compared to the autumn. Back in September, the rate was down to 47.1, but by November it had climbed to more than 200 and was at 651.1 by the middle of December.
The area of Carmarthenshire where coronavirus is currently spreading fastest is Llanelli West, while the area with the lowest infection rate is the Llandovery, Cilycwm and Cynwyl Gaeo region.
Below are the infection rates and new case figures for every part of Carmarthenshire for the seven days up to January 3 (area: infection rate/new cases):
■ Llanelli West: 664.2/49 ■ Carmarthen South & Llangunnor: 604.7/39
■ Kidwelly & Trimsaran: 582.8/36
■ Llanon, Cross Hands & Penygroes: 522.8/44
■ Bynea & Llwynhendy: 520.0/47
■ Yr Hendy 495.3/30
■ Llanelli Bigyn: 489.8/33 ■ Abergwili, Llanegwad & Carmel: 480.6/32
■ Carmarthen 466.3/24
■ Carmarthen West Cynwyl Elfed: 464.1/40
■ Llandybie & Saron: 455.9/39
■ Dafen
411.6/23
■ Swiss Valley & Llangennech: 405.1/31
Llanddarog, yndeyrn & 398.2/33
Llanelli South: 392.1/42 Ammanford & Betws: 391.2/31
Glyn
382.2/37
Pembrey & Burry 360.9/30
Brynaman, Garnant & Glanaman: 352.9/26 Llanelli North: 311.4/17 Llandeilo, Llangadog & Manordeilo: 305.6/22
Llanfihangel-ar-arth Llanybydder: 264.1/15
Whitland, Laugharne & &
Tycroes:
North: &
Llansteffan: 232.3/29
■ Trelech, Cenarth & Llangeler: 157.2/12
■ Llandovery, Cilycwm & Cynwyl Gaeo: 108.0/6
Councillor Jane Tremlett, executive board member for health and social care at Carmarthenshire Council, has urged people to play a key role in protecting the most vulnerable within their communities by adhering to Welsh Government guidelines.
“We are close to the vaccine having a real protective effect in our communities,” she said. “I would ask everyone in the county to do their bit to prevent the spread of the virus and give us the best chance to protect our most vulnerable.
Meanwhile, pensioners in Carmarthenshire have started to receive the new Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine against Covid-19. To date, more than 10,000 vaccines have been delivered in the Hywel Dda area since December and from this next week, 14 surgeries across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire will be providing the vaccine locally to people aged 80 and over.
Work is ongoing in conjunction with primary care colleagues, so that by mid-january many more GP practices across the three counties will be calling patients in for the vaccine, as well as providing vaccination for more care home residents as well patients who are housebound.