‘Strict lockdown’ policy zero deaths reported for
WALES’ fight to tackle the spread of coronavirus passed an important milestone earlier this week – with no new deaths with the virus reported by Public Health Wales (PHW) in one of its daily updates, for the first time since lockdown began.
Officials confirmed on Monday there were no deaths in Wales in patients with lab-confirmed Covid-19 recorded between 5pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday, keeping the total at 1,531 deaths since March.
It was the first day since March 19 there were no deaths reported on a single day by PHW in its daily update.
At that time, a total of two people in Wales had died with lab-confirmed Covid-19.
The news was given a cautious welcome.
Dr Phil White, from the British Medical Association in Wales, told the BBC the figure was a testament to Wales’ strict lockdown, adding: “We’ve had stricter lockdown and it’s reflected in the zero death rate, similarly in Scotland, and because of this we’ve seen a more rapid improvement in the situation.”
Monday’s landmark announcement was followed by figures on Tuesday showing owing there had since been three new deaths with Covid-19, in a further er sign there is no room for complacency in the ongoing efforts to tackle the pandemic
And while the announcement of no new deaths during a daily briefing was a first since lockdown, over-counting and delayed reporting of new cases and deaths has meant that daily figures have been retrospectively adjusted in the past, with current data showing there are now also no deaths recorded by Public Health Wales for June 18, or July 3, 4 or 5.
Separate figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the number of deaths registered in Wales with mention of Covid-19 up to June 19 in Wales is much higher than those reported by Public Health Wales, and stands at 2,408.
The zero death toll figure was announced on Monday – the day the fivemile “stay local” rule was lifted by the Welsh Government.
It means people can now travel across the country and visit popular beauty spots – the first time this has been allowed since March 23.
The Welsh Government said the measures will pave the way for the tour- tour ism sector to begin reopening from this Saturday “if conditions allow”.
People from two separate households are also now able to meet indoors and stay overnight with each other as part of one “extended household”.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said he wanted to restore freedoms as soon as possible in Wales but only when the threat of coronavirus has “sufficiently receded”.
A fifth review of coronavirus regulations will be carried out towards the end of this week.
“We look closely at a number of factors which tell us how much headroom we have and how that headroom can be used,” he said.
“These include the latest scientific and medical evidence about the transmission of coronavirus in Wales, as well as the proportion of tests that are returned as positive.
“At the peak of coronavirus, 45% of all tests processed by NHS Wales laboratories were positive. By the end of June that had fallen to 3.5%.
“We also look at new confirmed cases, the number of people dying from the disease and excess deaths.
“We also look at the number of people admitted to hospital with coro coronavirus and the number of people treated in critical care units.”
He said the more the public continues to follow the rules, the more “headroom” the Welsh Government will have to ease restrictions.
“When compliance falls away, then our ability to do new things falls away as well,” he said.
On Friday, the First Minister
said he took part in a “fast and furious” Facebook live session with the public where he was asked a number of questions.
These included when beauty salons could reopen and when sports, such as swimming and junior football, can restart.
But Mr Drakeford added: “I do not want to offer anyone false hope, or the false security of far-off dates in the future which may be snatched away at the last moment by a virus which could suddenly change course as we have seen it do elsewhere in the world.
“We must remain hopeful that we are over the worst, but we must all be realistic that we could yet see a further resurgence of coronavirus later in the year, which is why it is so important that we all continue to take measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
He said the Welsh Government continues to advocate the “fives golden rules”, which consist of: avoiding unnecessary travel; working from home where possible; keeping distance from one another; always washing hands; and only meeting one other household outdoors unless part of an extended household.
Mr Drakeford a also highlighted three key dates for the week ahead.
He confirm confirmed that on Thursday, July Ju 9, the Welsh Government Governme would complete its latest late 21-day review of regulation. regula Under ministers’ p plans, Saturday, July 11, w would see self-contained holiday accommodation reopen. On Monday, July 13, pubs, bars, restauran restaurants and cafes are set to reopen outdoors, as wel well as hairdressers by appointment. appo
The First Mini Minister added that he hoped hope not to see large gatherings g on streets w when bars, pubs and restaurants open op outdoors in i Wales next Monday. Mo He sa said would look “very “v carefully” at the e experience xpe in England ov over the weekend an and would d draw a “rounded
We must remain hopeful that we are over the worst, but we must all be realistic that we could yet see a further resurgence of coronavirus later in the year’