Lack of social distancing blamed for flare-up in Caerphilly as residents reminded of the rules

A LACK of social distancing has been blamed for the “significant rise” in coronavirus cases in Caerphilly.

Latest figures by Public Health Wales (PHW) show the local authority has become Wales’ Covid-19 hotspot in recent days, with more cases per head than anywhere else.

Over the past seven days there have been 46 positive cases recorded in Caerphilly, which equates to 25.4 cases per 100,000 people. Only the local authority of Cardiff (15.5 per 100,000) comes close to this figure.

It is now above the rate at which, if it were a foreign country, the UK Government would start bringing in a two-week quarantine for people returning from abroad.

It is also at a similar level to Glasgow City Council, where the Scottish Government has reintroduced some lockdown measures.

Now Public Health Wales, Caerphilly County Borough Council and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board are urging people in Caerphilly to remember the “vital importance of social distancing”.

The bodies say that rising number of positive Covid-19 cases is a “cause for concern”.

Dr Rhianwen Stiff, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health Wales, said: “There has been a significant rise in positive coronavirus cases in Caerphilly in the past week, and our investigations indicate that a lack of social distancing by a small group of people of all age groups, in a range of different locations, has resulted in the spread of the virus to other parts of the population.

“It appears that as lockdown restrictions have eased, people have taken advantage of the greater possibilities for activities, but they seem to have forgotten the importance of social distancing – resulting in possible transmission in the wider community.

“It is clear that the virus spreads more easily in indoor settings, and people should take extra care to socially distance in these cases to keep themselves and their friends and families as safe as possible.”

People in the area have been sent a message warning of a number of “mini-clusters” in the Caerphilly South area.

The NHS message states: “We are posting to alert you to a localised increased incidence of confirmed Covid infection in Caerphilly South area. There are a numbers of miniclusters of infection and there is also evidence of community transmission.

“Anyone meeting the criteria for testing should self-isolate and arrange a test. “

Dr Stiff warned that this rise in positive cases in Caerphilly shows that coronavirus has not gone away.

“It remains the responsibility of everyone to help prevent the spread of this virus – that is, by self-isolating when asked to do so, staying two

metres away from others, and by washing hands regularly,” she added.

“I am making a direct appeal to everyone to remember that even if they feel that they would not be badly affected by Covid-19 if they were to test positive for it, they can easily pass it on to vulnerable or older family members, friends or colleagues which could have serious, even fatal, consequences.

“In addition, I would remind everyone that the Welsh Government’s regulations restrict social gatherings to 30 people outdoors, and social distancing should be maintained in all cases.

“I understand that these measures are not easy to adhere to, and make our work and social lives more difficult, but by everyone taking these steps we will ensure that our community is a safer place for all – including the most vulnerable.”

Dr Stiff also reminded people that children should not be taken to school or childcare settings if they have been in close contact with an infected person.

“They will be considered as contacts and will need to isolate for 14 days,” she added.

“If you are deemed as a contact and you receive a negative test you must still continue to isolate for the 14-day period.”

It was also confirmed that a temporary walk-in coronavirus testing centre would be set up and operational in Caerphilly leisure centre “imminently” to allow residents to easily access tests and help the investigation into the cluster of new positive cases.

No appointment will be necessary for residents of Caerphilly to access the walk-through testing service.