Patient in their 60s first by coronavirus as total

APERSON in their 60s has become the first to die from coronavirus in Wales, Public Health Wales has said.

The patient died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and had underlying health problems.

Yesterday Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The chief medical officer has today confirmed the death of a Welsh resident who had tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

“Public Health Wales offer our sincere condolences to family and friends affected by this loss.

“We can confirm that this is the first death in Wales from novel coronavirus (Covid-19) infection.

“The individual, who was in their sixties and had underlying health conditions, sadly passed away at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

“No further details regarding this individual will be released, and we ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality.”

In a statement, Dr Frank Atherton, the chief medical officer for Wales, said the patient was 68 and offered his “sincere condolences” to their family.

Dr Atherton said: “It is with regret that today I am confirming a patient in Wales has sadly died after contracting Covid-19. I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their request for privacy is respected.

“The patient, who had underlying health conditions, was 68 years old and was being treated at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford said following the announcement: “I am deeply saddened that a person in Wales who had coronavirus has died. My heartfelt condolences are with their family and friends.

“We continue to work hard to respond to this fast-changing situation, as the impact of the virus continues to increase in the days and weeks ahead.”

Wales’ health minister Vaughan Gething said decisions around tackling the spread of coronavirus need to be “based on evidence” in order to save lives.

Speaking to reporters outside the Cabinet Office ahead of an emergency Cobra committee meeting yesterday, he said Wales’ first reported death from the disease “underscores the challenge” facing the country.

He said: “It also for me reinforces the need to make choices based on evidence to try to save as many lives as possible. There is no single easy answer.”

Mr Gething added: “Unfortunately, expect more lives to be lost in the coming weeks and months.”

Following the emergency meeting, the First Minister repeated Mr Gething’s fears of further deaths, and said “dramatic and draconian measures” would be put in place to protect those most vulnerable to the disease.

These include a “sub-group” of people whose immune systems are particularly compromised, who Mr Drakeford said would be contacted by healthcare professionals in the