Spike gives village highest Covid rate in country
A CARMARTHENSHIRE village is at the centre of a Covid-19 outbreak which has made it the area with the highest current infection rate in the whole of Wales.
Pontyberem, situated between Carmarthen and Llanelli, has seen a cluster of coronavirus cases confirmed in the past week or so, with the county council admitting that they have spoken to local people and organisations about restricting social gatherings in the area.
The local health board, meanwhile, has said that it is monitoring the situation in the village.
According to Public Health Wales, the area currently has the highest local infection rate of any sub-county area anywhere in Wales. The region, classified as Glyn and Pontyberem, has an infection rate of 82.6 per 100,000 population over the sevenday period up to June 2.
To put that infection rate into perspective, the rate across Wales as a whole is 9.4.
Carmarthenshire Council has not divulged any information about how and where the local spike originated, but it is reminding people to follow guidance with regards to social distancing and the wearing of face masks.
Meanwhile, a number of clubs and venues in the village have been closed temporarily as the community deals with the outbreak. The village hall and the local 3G pitch are currently out of use, while Pontyberem RFC confirmed that its clubhouse was closed over the weekend “due to the increase of positive Covid cases in the village”. They said there were no cases linked to the club itself but “in the public interest the committee has taken the decision to close the club”.
Meanwhile, Pontyberem Cricket Club was due to play two fixtures over the weekend, but both were cancelled due to the ongoing situation. The club was due to fulfil two fixtures on Saturday, June 5, with the first team due to play Gowerton at their home ground, while the second team was due to play an away fixture in Llangennech, some 10 miles away.
However, the games were called off due to a “local Covid cluster outbreak”, the South Wales Cricket Association confirmed.
It has not been confirmed how many people involved with the cricket club have been affected, but it’s understood that the club were advised not to go ahead with the fixtures as a precautionary measure.
The cricket club has said it does not wish to comment on the situation, while the South Wales Cricket Association has said it will meet later this week to discuss potential disruption to the league season in Division Three and Division Eight – which Pontyberem’s first and second XIS play in respectively.
Extra precautions are now being taken in the village and surrounding areas to prevent the spike from spreading further. It’s understood that there have been around 15 positive cases in the area recently which, given its relatively small size, explains the high infection rate.
A spokeswoman for the local community council said: “The village hall and other venues in the village are closed while we navigate this situation. We continue to take measures to limit the spread. There has been a rise in cases but we are hopeful, with everyone taking precautions, that the number of cases will not increase any further.” A meeting of the community council will take place tomorrow evening, during which the Covid spike will be discussed.
Most of the positive cases are understood to be among younger age groups, and is possibly a reflection of the fact that people in that bracket are either awaiting a first vaccination against Covid-19, or they have only recently received one.
County councillor Liam Bowen, who represents the Pontyberem area, said the spike in cases appears to have coincided with a time when more people have been venturing out following an easing of restrictions and an upturn in the weather.
“Things have started to ease up recently, and more people have been out and about,” he said. “It’s a small village and everyone knows everyone, but people are being more cautious now since the outbreak, and a lot of local people have been to get tested.
“According to the track and trace data it’s not one thing or one event which has caused it, but it has spread quite quickly and that has frightened people. Most of the cases as far as I am aware are among younger people, but most of the people I have spoken to who have tested positive do not have symptoms, while a few are feeling a bit under the weather but with no major symptoms.
“We’re continuing to push the message for people to get tested because it’s such a small village, and I know people who are self-isolating locally now. Hopefully those factors can nip this in the bud as soon as possible. I must say too that people are very thankful to different organisations like the rugby club and the cricket club because they have all taken it very seriously.”
Jonathan Morgan, head of homes and safer communities at Carmarthenshire Council, said: “Our Test, Trace, Protect team have identified a small cluster of Covid-19 cases linked to the Pontyberem area. As part of our tracing efforts, and as a precaution, we have spoken to a number of people and made contact with community organisations and venues to try and restrict social gatherings in the area for the time being.
“We are pleased with the proactive response from these organisations who have voluntarily suspended planned events, training sessions and matches that may attract social gatherings. As always, we remind people to take personal responsibility for following Covid-19 rules around social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing face coverings as directed to protect themselves and others.”
Hywel Dda University Health Board has said that extra testing facilities could be made available in Pontyberem if needed.
Alison Shakeshaft, the health board’s director of therapies and health science, said: “We are working closely with Carmarthenshire County Council and Public Health Wales to monitor the situation in the Pontyberem area. Testing is available locally for anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus and we are well-placed to provide extra testing facilities in the area should this be considered necessary.
“Anyone experiencing any of the Covid-19 or wider flu-like symptoms that are new, persistent and/or unusual for them must self-isolate and book a test as soon as possible. People can book a home testing kit which is sent to their home, or they can request a test locally. To book a test, visit gov.wales/apply-coronavirustest or call 119. People with hearing or speech difficulties can call 18001 119.”