No deaths recorded as ‘phone ahead’ system ready to start at A&E

WALES has recorded no new coronavirus deaths for the first time this month, it has been revealed.

Public Health Wales (PHW) confirmed in its daily update yesterday that there were zero new deaths following a positive laboratory test for Covid-19.

It means the overall number of deaths with lab-confirmed Covid-19 since the outbreak began remains at 1,565.

There were no new deaths reported by Public Health Wales on 13 occasions in July (July 6, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27 and 28). However, this doesn’t necessarily mean no-one died with the virus on those specific dates as it can take several days for a death to be logged officially.

So-called “true” death figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which include all deaths where the virus was mentioned on a death certificate and not just cases identified in a lab, found that 2,501 had died with coronavirus in Wales up to July 17.

Meanwhile, PHW said yesterday that the number of lab-confirmed positive cases of coronavirus in Wales had increased by 24 to bring the total to 17,339.

Wrexham once again recorded the most positive cases with eight, followed by Flintshire and Neath Port Talbot both with three. Swansea, Cardiff, RCT and Denbighshire had two new cases, while Torfaen and Carmarthenshire had one. All other local authorities had no new cases.

Meanwhile, children under the age of 11 no longer have to sociallydistance from other children and adults.

Mr Drakeford said they were now exempt from social distancing rules as they had lower rates of transmission of the virus.

Groups of up to 30 people can also meet outdoors from now, while swimming pools, gyms, leisure centres and indoor play areas, including soft play, will be allowed to reopen from August 10.

From tomorrow, patients who feel they need urgent treatment in A&E at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff will be told to phone ahead.

The CAV24/7 service is being introduced to help maintain social distancing and manage overcrowding.

Anyone who feels they need a visit to A&E, but does not have a life-threatening illness or injury, will be asked to call 0300 10 20 247 where their details will be taken by a trained call handler.

They will then receive a call back from a clinician who will “triage” the patient.