Caution urged by health board

COUNCIL leaders in a part of Wales where Covid cases have risen sharply are urging people to take precautions.

The number of coronavirus cases in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board between September 1 and 8 was 3,249 – 1,000 more than the previous week.

Given the increase, Cwm Taf health bosses made the difficult decision to restrict visiting at its hospitals.

Officials in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend have now come together to issue a joint statement to urge residents to respect the new rules and heed the warning signs.

Bridgend council leader Huw David said: “The pandemic is far from over, our social care services are under massive pressure, and we all want our children to be able to attend school safely, so we must make every effort to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus, and help to keep our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues safe.”

Wales’ latest Covid infection rate is currently 522.7 cases for every 100,000 people in the last week (August 30 to September 5).

This is up on the 501.8 reported on Thursday, which was the day the infection rate rose above 500 for the first time since January 4 this year.

And earlier this week it was reported there are now more people in intensive care with coronavirus in Wales than there were when the firebreak lockdown was announced last year.

The three council bosses’ decision to issue a joint statement together comes amid growing pressure on the local health board.

Merthyr Tydfil council leader Lisa Mytton said, given the rise in cases, people need to be aware of the symptoms of Covid.

She added: “With Covid restrictions lifting if we do not work together then this will have an inevitable impact on social care and our health boards.

“As schools have now returned, we need to be more vigilant and look after one another and make sure we still adhere to the government’s guidelines as they change. Coronavirus has not gone away.”

As well as a rise in Covid cases, earlier in the week, Cwm Taf health board announced it was closing a minor injuries unit at a hospital following staff shortages.