Covid alert after village reports a spike in cases
Link to infectious people visiting clubs:
THIRTY-THREE coronavirus cases in a small Valleys community have been linked to infectious people visiting social clubs.
Bridgend council and Public Health Wales (PHW) are urging residents in the Garw Valley to look out for symptoms of Covid-19 after a spike in positive cases linked to pubs and licensed venues.
Blaengarw, a village with fewer than 2,000 residents, has emerged as the Bridgend local authority area’s coronavirus hotspot.
The authorities are encouraging anyone with symptoms “no matter how mild” to immediately selfisolate and book a coronavirus test following an increase of 33 positive cases of coronavirus in the area within seven days.
The advice follows the discovery that people with coronavirus visited the Wexa Club, Blaengarw, on September 25 or Blaengarw Workingmen’s Club on September 26 during their infectious period.
According to PHW, a “small number” of positive coronavirus cases have been traced back to both establishments among people who visited them on those dates.
Symptoms include a new continuous cough, a sudden rise in temperature or a change in the sense of taste or smell.
Council leader Huw David said: “Pandemic restrictions are in place across the county borough which prevent people from gathering indoors with anyone who is not a member of your household, and this includes pubs and clubs.”
Bridgend is one of three councils that have published maps showing where their coronavirus cases have been.
He added: “Pubs and other licensed venues also need to offer table service only and to stop selling alcohol at 10pm. Please don’t visit multiple venues, and avoid pub crawls as this greatly increases the chance of spreading the virus.
“With such a sudden increase in positive cases within the valley, it is more important than ever for residents to follow the rules on wearing masks, washing hands, using sanitiser and keeping socially distant. The council and its partners are working flat out to help you, your family and your friends, and we will of course seek to return everything to normal as soon as it is safe to do so.
“Until then, we must all play our part to protect the local community.”
Gemma Northey, locum consultant in public health for Public Health Wales, said: “We are aware of a small number of cases associated with Wexa Club, Blaengarw, and Blaengarw Workingmen’s Club.
“The public has a vital role in preventing the spread of coronavirus by adhering to Welsh Government local restrictions, as well as by observing social distancing guidelines – that’s staying two metres away from others, washing hands regularly with soap or by using alcohol based sanitiser, and working from home if they can.
“We must all play our part to protect our vulnerable or older friends, family members and loved ones.”
Tests can be arranged for free via the Welsh Government website or by calling the 119 between 7am and 11pm.
A walk-in mobile testing unit is also open at the Bowls Hall car park of Bridgend Life Centre for seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.