City under review as Wales’ highest cases persisting

A HIGHER coronavirus infection rate in one part of Wales is being kept “under review” by the council and public health officials.

According to latest figures from Public Health Wales, Newport has 25.2 positive cases per 100,000 population for the seven days between April 19 and 25.

While this is a only a fraction of the numbers being seen in peaks during the first and second waves, the local authority’s infection rate is the highest in Wales. The only counties that come close are Swansea with 22.3 cases per 100,000, Wrexham with 22.1 and Gwynedd with 19.3.

Newport is in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board where all other local authorities – Blaenau Gwent (8.6), Caerphilly (8.8), Monmouthshire (2.1) and Torfaen (6.4) – have less than 10 cases per 100,000. While most local authorities have seen a gradual decrease in infection rates over the past month, the same cannot be said for Newport where it has risen from 14.2 (March 29-April 4).

Wales has now eased many lockdown restrictions including the reopening of non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality.

In response to the figures, a joint statement by Public Health Wales and Newport City Council stated: “As case numbers are so low in Wales, even small clusters or changes in case numbers stand out in the figures. It should be noted that the number of cases in Newport are still extremely low compared with the peaks we have seen earlier in the pandemic.

“We are confident that, because of the measures that are in place, we will see an improvement soon. Newport City Council, in partnership with colleagues from Public Health Wales and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, is keeping the situation under review.

“We would like to remind the public that coronavirus is still circulating in our communities and a large number of people have not been fully vaccinated.

“It is, therefore, vital that people observe social distancing, wear face coverings when in indoor spaces, and wash hands regularly. These actions will help to prevent transmission of the virus.”

At the peak, Newport’s infection rate was 587 cases per 100,000 (Dec 28-Jan 3) which demonstrates just how much the numbers have fallen over the past few months.

Across Wales there are now only 11.3 cases per 100,000 population being recorded – the lowest since August.