‘Infections in Caerphilly now lower than RCT but cases are rising steadily’
THE rate of coronavirus infections in Caerphilly has now fallen below Rhondda Cynon Taf, the latest update from Public Health Wales has shown.
One new death of a person diagnosed with Covid-19 was confirmed in Wales yesterday, meaning four new deaths were reported within 48 hours. The total number of deaths with lab-confirmed coronavirus in Wales now stands at 1,601.
A further 185 new lab-confirmed cases of the virus were also reported yesterday.
Four local authority areas are being closely monitored for rising rates of coronavirus including Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT), Merthyr Tydfil and Newport. RCT had the highest number of new cases yesterday at 45, compared to 32 new cases on Thursday.
Caerphilly and Newport each had the second-highest number of cases at 18, while Bridgend followed with 16.
Swansea recorded 13 new cases, while Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil each had 11.
Carmarthenshire had 10, while Conwy and Flintshire both had 11 cases each.
Neath Port Talbot, Vale of Glamorgan and Anglesey each had four new cases.
Wrexham, Gwynedd and Blaenau Gwent each had three cases, while Monmouthshire had two.
Torfaen, Denbighshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys all recorded one case each.
In RCT, the weekly rate of infection has hit 83.7 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Caerphilly at 73.5 cases per 100,000 people.
The news means Caerphilly, which has been in a local lockdown since last week, has shown a sustained improvement from the peak of well over 90 cases for every 100,000 people
However, Dr Robin Howe, at Public Health Wales, said that their figures were showing a steady increase in cases in many communities.
He said: “A steady increase in cases in many communities across Wales, and our investigations show that many of these have been transmitted due to a lack of social distancing.”
The rate in Merthyr has jumped again and is now 56.4, compared to 46.4 on Thursday and 39.8 on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, in Newport, the seven-day rate is 36.9, down from 39.4 on Thursday and 47.8 cases per 100,000 on Wednesday.
Two other areas, Bridgend and Blaenau Gwent, have seen rises and are now over 30 cases for every 100,000 people.
Across Wales, the closely watched seven-day infection rate is now 23.5 cases for every 100,000 people.
The overall number of new cases yesterday brings the total number to 20,233 in Wales since the beginning of the pandemic. Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales,. said: “We are now seeing a steady increase in cases in many communities across Wales, and our investigations show that many of these have been transmitted due to a lack of social distancing.
“We are also seeing an increase in the number of people who are seriously ill and have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19.
“Coronavirus has not gone away. It remains the responsibility of everyone to help prevent the spread of this virus to protect older and vulnerable family members and friends. They should do this by self-isolating when asked to do so, staying two metres away from others, and by washing hands regularly.
“Public Health Wales supports the restrictions which have been put in place in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf by the Welsh Government and local authorities. The full list of rules for these areas can be found on the Welsh Government website, by clicking here for Caerphilly and here for Rhondda Cynon Taf
“Members of the public in Newport are also being advised of the need to be vigilant for the symptoms of coronavirus, and of the vital need to stick to social-distancing guidelines, as a rise in cases there causes concern.
“Face coverings are now mandatory for everyone over age 11 in public places, and only six people from an extended household can meet now indoors in areas of Wales where local restrictions do not apply.”