Coronavirus infection rate is lower than the Welsh average
THE coronavirus infection rate in Carmarthenshire continues to be lower than the Welsh average and is now just over 2% of what it was at its peak.
According to the latest data published by Public Health Wales on Friday afternoon, the infection rate in the county was 15.9 per 100,000. In those seven days there were 30 new cases confirmed from a total of 1,864 tests – generating a positivity rate of 1.6%. In terms of new cases confirmed in the latest 24-hour period (up until Thursday morning) there were only two in Carmarthenshire from 353 tests – a positivity rate of 0.6%.
The infection rate in the county on Monday was 8.5, lower than the average across Wales, which is 17.5. It is higher than that seen in neighbouring Ceredigion (5.5 ) but lower than that sin Pembrokeshire (10.3). It also continues to be far lower than it has been in recent weeks and months.
The previous Saturday (no data was published on Good Friday) the rate was the same as it is now (based on the seven days up to March 29), but a week before that (for the seven days up to March 21) the rate was at 27.5, while a week before that it was 31.3. Less than four months ago, in the week before Christmas, it reached more than 740.
The area of the county with the highest current infection rate is Llanelli South, while infection rates in most areas have not been calculated due to too few cases.
Below are the infection rates and new case figures for every part of Carmarthenshire for the seven days up to April 3 (area: infection rate/new cases):
■ Llanelli South: 65.3/7
■ Llanfihangel-ar-arth & Llanybydder: 52.8/3
■ Bynea & Llwynhendy: 33.2/3
■ Whitland, Laugharne & Llansteffan: 24.0/3
■ Carmarthen North: fewer than 39 cases/0-2
■ Llanelli North: fewer than 37 cases/0-2
■ Dafen & Felinfoel: fewer than 36 cases/0-2
■ Llandovery, Cilycwm & Cynwyl Gaeo: fewer than 36 cases/0-2
■ Yr Hendy & Tycroes: fewer than 34 cases/0-2
■ Kidwelly & Trimsaran: fewer than 33 cases/0-2
■ Carmarthen South & Llangunnor: fewer than 32 cases/0-2
■ Abergwili, Llanegwad & Carmel: fewer than 31 cases/0-2
■ Llanelli Bigyn: fewer than 30 cases/0-2
■ Brynaman, Garnant & Glanaman: fewer than 28 cases/0-2
■ Llanelli West: fewer than 28 cases/0-2
■ Llandeilo, Llangadog & Manordeilo: fewer than 28 cases/0-2
■ Swiss Valley & Llangennech: fewer than 27 cases/0-2
■ Trelech, Cenarth & Llangeler: fewer than 27 cases/0-2
■ Ammanford & Betws: fewer than 26 cases/0-2
■ Llanddarog, Llang
yndeyrn & Ferryside: fewer than 25 cases/0-2
■ Pembrey & Burry Port: fewer than 25 cases/0-2
■ Carmarthen West & Cynwyl Elfed: fewer than 24 cases/0-2
■ Llandybie & Saron: fewer than 24 cases/0-2
■ Llannon, Cross Hands & Penygroes: fewer than 24 cases/0-2
■ Glyn & Pontyberem: fewer than 21 cases/0-2
In the seven days up to April 4 there were 680 admissions at Hywel Dda University Health Board hospitals – nine of those people had tested positive for coronavirus.
A total of 454 people were tested for coronavirus upon admission to hospital, of which five returned positive tests.
Nearly 50,000 people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire have now been fully vaccinated, meaning they have received two doses of either the Pfizer-biontech or the Astrazeneca vaccine. Meanwhile, more than 190,000 people have had a first dose.
According to data up to Wednesday (April 7) 90,735 people in Carmarthenshire (48.1% of the population) have received a first dose, and 20,261 (10.7% of the population) are now fully vaccinated.
In Ceredigion, 34,781 people (47.8% of the population) have had a first dose, and 9,455 (13% of the population) have had a second dose.
In Pembrokeshire, 63,225 people (50.3% of the population) have received a first dose, while 15,230 (12.1% of the population) are fully vaccinated.
Across the three counties, 54.1% of older adult residents in care homes have been fully vaccinated, along with 72.5% of all care home workers, 80.5% of health and social care workers, and 75.8% of everyone aged 75 and over.
A spokesman for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “Please be patient if you haven’t been contacted about your vaccine yet and we politely ask that you do not contact the health board or your GP to ask about your vaccine.”