Group helping to get elderly to vaccine appointments
A CORONAVIRUS support group in Llandeilo is expanding its services and offering to help those aged between 75 and 79 get to their Covid-19 vaccination appointments.
As well as stepping in to help the elderly reach appointments, the group is calling for volunteer drivers to help out. The offer is for those who have appointments at mass vaccination centres in Carmarthen and Llanelli.
These are at Halliwell Conference Centre, University of Wales Trinity Saint David campus in College Road Carmarthen, and Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli town centre.
Around 20,000 people aged between 75 to 79 are currently being written to across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire to receive their first vaccine at a mass vaccination centre. Other centres are located in Tenby, Haverfordwest, Cardigan and Aberystwyth.
Over-80s will still be vaccinated at their local GP practices and people are asked not to contact their GP about vaccines and not to attend a mass vaccination centre without an appointment.
However, the Llandeilo support group claims that many pensioners living in rural Carmarthenshire find themselves stranded with no safe means of attending their vaccination appointment.
Richard Wallace, 73, of Llandeilo, said neither he nor his wife were able to drive to Carmarthen.
“I’ve got scarring of the lungs and get very short of breath, and my wife has arthritis,” he said.
Mr Wallace said he had spoken to people in the same position locally.
He said they weren’t keen on using public transport and that buses wouldn’t in any case run late enough to cover evening appointments at the centre.
“It is causing anxiety,” he said.
Mr Wallace said he appreciated the conference centre was a large venue with a car park to match, but he felt it was “ludicrous” for people in Llandeilo and the surrounding a lot of
area to have to travel there.
“We’ve got facilities in Llandeilo – the Civic Hall, the library, the surgery,” he said.
Llandeilo councillor Edward Thomas has been raising the issue with the health board, and has asked if the town’s Meddygfa Teilo could be used for vaccinations.
Health boards have been dealing with huge logistical challenges to roll out the vaccine as quickly and as safely as possible.
There are six vaccination centres in the Hywel Dda University Board area, which provide space for social distancing.
In a statement on February 2, the health board said GP surgeries lacked supplies of the vaccine to inoculate people in the 75-79 age group.
It added: “The health board is also working closely with community organisations and transport groups to ensure support is given to those who are genuinely struggling to travel to a mass vaccination centre.
“Please contact the health board using the number on your appointment letter if you require assistance with transport.”
Llandeilo mayor, councillor Owen James, said the town’s Covid-19 support group is offering to connect these people with willing volunteer drivers.
Cllr James said: “If you are in need of a lift to your appointment please get in touch. Time is of the essence and there are many willing people in Llandeilo who understand your predicament and want to help.”
“Volunteer drivers will need to use their own car,” said volunteer co-ordinator Christoph Fischer.
He added: “You will also need to have sufficient insurance to drive others.
“More detailed safety instructions and equipment will be provided.”
However, steps will need to be factored in if you are planning on driving someone outside of your bubble, and the following guidelines must be adhered to:
■ Only one passenger per car (sat in back and on the opposite side to the driver).
■ No charge for journey (voluntary contribution to petrol allowed).
■ Driver and passenger to keep mask on at all times.
Seats to be wiped down with sanitiser.
■ Plastic covering to be used on the passenger’s seat.
When attending a vaccine appointment please take with you:
■ Your appointment letter, some ID such as your passport, driving licence or utility bill in your name ■ A face mask (if you don’t have one, you will be given one).
Steve Moore, chief executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The opening of our mass vaccination centres to the public will allow us to offer more people a vaccine as soon as supplies are available to us.
“If you have received an invitation it is because you are in a priority group and at greater risk of complications if you catch Covid19.
“Vaccines are safe, effective and save lives and the Covid-19 vaccine offers our community hope.
“By receiving your vaccine, you will continue to play your small but incredibly important part in protecting yourself, the most vulnerable in our communities, and our local NHS. Thank you.”
We’ve got facilities in Llandeilo – the Civic Hall, the library, the surgery Llandeilo resident Richard Wallace, 73
CARMARTHENSHIRE is currently the county where coronavirus is spreading fastest in southern Wales despite the fact that its infection rate continues to fall.
The seven-day infection rate across the county is now 164.2 per 100,000, data published by Public Health Wales on Friday confirmed.
That number is based on the seven days up to January 31. In those seven days there were a total of 310 confirmed new cases, based on 2,293 tests which returned to a positive proportion of 13.5% .
Only two counties – Flintshire and Wrexham – have higher infection rates based on that period.
By Monday the county’s rate had dropped to 139.9 and the average infection rate for Wales as a whole is now 116.4.
In the 24 hours up to Thursday morning, meanwhile, there were 25 new cases (the joint fifth highest number per county in Wales) confirmed in Carmarthenshire, with a positive test proportion of 12.4% based on 202 tests.
However, the infection rate in Carmarthenshire has dropped again in the past week.
Last Friday the rate was at 187.0, based on the seven days up to January 24. The week before that (up to January 17) it was 261.7, and the week before that (up to January 10) it was at 308.3 Before the current lockdown restrictions were implemented on December 20, the rate was above 740.
The areas of the county with the highest current infection rate are Dafen and Felinfoel in Llanelli, while the areas with the lowest current rate are Llanfihangel-ar-arth and Llanybydder.
Below are the infection rates and new case figures for every part of the county for the seven days up to January 31 (area: infection rate/new cases):
■ Dafen & Felinfoel: 465.3/26
■ Llanelli Bigyn: 430.5/29
■ Llanelli West: 230.4/17
■ Brynaman, Garnant & Glanaman: 217.2/16
■ Carmarthen South & Llangunnor: 217.1/14
■ Llandybie & Saron: 187.0/16
■ Abergwili, Llanegwad & Carmel: 180.2/12
■ Llannon, Cross Hands & Penygroes: 178.2/15
■ Ammanford & Betws: 176.7/14
■ Carmarthen West & Cynwyl Elfed: 174.0/15
■ Glyn & Pontyberem: 165.3/16
■ Yr Hendy & Tycroes: 165.1/10
■ Llanelli North: 164.8/9
■ Llanelli South: 158.7/17
■ Pembrey & Burry Port: 156.4/13
■ Bynea & Llwynhendy: 132.8/12
■ Swiss Valley & Llangennech: 130.7/10
■ Whitland, Laugharne & Llansteffan: 128.2/16
■ Kidwelly & Trimsaran: 113.3/7
■ Carmarthen North: 97.1/5
■ Llandovery, Cilycwm & Cynwyl Gaeo: 90.0/5
■ Llanddarog, Llangyndeyrn & Ferryside: 84.5/7
■ Trelech, Cenarth & Llangeler: 78.6/6
■ Llandeilo, Llangadog & Manordeilo: 41.7/3
■ Llanfihangel ar Arth & Llanybydder: fewer than 36 cases/0-2
In the seven days up to January 31 there were 581 admissions at Hywel Dda hospitals – 53 of those people had tested positive for coronavirus.
A total of 339 people were tested for coronavirus upon admission to hospital, of whom 16 returned positive tests.
More than 13% of people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire have now received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, Hywel Dda Health Board confirmed this week.
In total, 52,923 have been vaccinated since the start of Hywel Dda’s rollout programme in December, according to data up to last Wednesday.
A total of 92.1% of older adult residents in care homes have now had their first dose, along with 84.3% of care home workers, 83.8% of everyone aged 80+, and 82.3% of health and social care workers. Just over a quarter of people aged 75-79 have been vaccinated, and nearly 5% of those aged 70-74 (many of whom in that group were contacted in the past week).
In Carmarthenshire itself, 24,866 people (13.2% of the population) have received a vaccination.
A spokeswoman for Hywel Dda Health Board said: “Like all medicines, no vaccine is 100% effective and some people may get Covid-19 despite having the vaccination, but their infection will be less severe. Once you have had your vaccine, you must still act to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community and continue to follow the Covid19 guidance (social distancing, face coverings, lockdowns) to protect those around you.”