A day without Covid deaths
Milestone reached as no daily coronavirus fatalities reported in Wales for first time since lockdown
WALES’ fight to tackle the spread of coronavirus passed an important milestone earlier this week – with no new deaths with the virus reported by Public Health Wales (PHW) in one of its daily updates, for the first time since lockdown began.
Officials confirmed on Monday there were no deaths in Wales in patients with lab-confirmed Covid-19 recorded between 5pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday, keeping the total at 1,531 deaths since March.
It was the first day since March 19 there were no deaths reported on a single day by PHW in its daily update.
At that time, a total of two people in Wales had died with lab-confirmed Covid-19.
The news was given cautious welcome.
Dr Phil White, from the British Medical Association in Wales, told the BBC the figure was a testament to Wales’ strict lockdown, adding: “We’ve had stricter lockdown and it’s reflected in the zero death rate, similarly in Scotland, and because of this we’ve seen a more rapid improvement in the situation.”
Monday’s landmark announcement was followed by figures on Tuesday showing there had since been three new deaths with Covid-19, in a further sign there is no a room for complacency in the ongoing efforts to tackle the pandemic
And while the announcement of no new deaths during a daily briefing was a first since lockdown, over-counting and delayed reporting of new cases and deaths has meant that daily figures have been retrospectively adjusted in the past, with current data showing there are now also no deaths recorded by Public Health Wales for June 18, or July 3, 4 or 5.
Separate figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the number of deaths registered in Wales with mention of Covid-19 up to June 19 in Wales is much higher than those reported by Public Health Wales, and stands at 2,408.
The zero death toll figure was announced on Monday – the day the fivemile “stay local” rule was lifted by the Welsh Government.
It means people can now travel across the country and visit popular beauty spots – the first time this has been allowed since March 23.
The Welsh Government said the measures will pave the way for the tourism sector to begin reopening from this Saturday “if conditions allow”.
People from two separate households are also now able to meet indoors and stay overnight with each other as part of one “extended household”.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said he wanted to restore freedoms as soon as possible in Wales but only when the threat of coronavirus has “sufficiently receded”.
A fifth review of coronavirus regulations will be carried out towards the end of this week.
“We look closely at a number of factors which tell us how much headroom we have and how that headroom can be used,” he said.
“These include the latest scientific and medical evidence about the transmission of coronavirus in Wales, as well as the proportion of tests that are returned as positive.
“At the peak of coronavirus, 45% of all tests processed by NHS Wales laboratories were positive. By the end of June that had fallen to 3.5%.
“We also look at new confirmed cases, the number of people dying from the disease and excess deaths.
“We also look at the number of people admitted to hospital with coronavirus and the number of people treated in critical care units.”
He said the more the public continues to follow the rules, the more “headroom” the Welsh Government will have to ease restrictions.
“When compliance falls away, then our ability to do new things falls away as well,” he said. On Friday, the First Minister
said he took part in a “fast and furious” Facebook live session with the public where he was asked a number of questions.
These included when beauty salons could reopen and when sports, such as swimming and junior football, can restart.
But Mr Drakeford added: “I do not want to offer anyone false hope, or the false security of far-off dates in the future which may be snatched away at the last moment by a virus which could suddenly change course as we have seen it do elsewhere in the world.
“We must remain hopeful that we are over the worst, but we must all be realistic that we could yet see a further resurgence of coronavirus later in the year, which is why it is so important that we all continue to take measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
He said the Welsh Government continues to advocate the “fives golden rules”, which consist of: avoiding unnecessary travel; working from home where possible; keeping distance from one another; always washing hands; and only meeting one other household outdoors unless part of an extended household.
Mr Drakeford also highlighted three key dates for the week ahead.
He confirmed that on Thursday, July 9, the Welsh Government would complete its latest 21-day review of regulation. Under ministers’ plans, Saturday, July 11, would see self-contained holiday accommodation reopen. On Monday, July 13, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes are set to reopen outdoors, as well as hairdressers by appointment.
The First Minister added that he hoped not to see large gatherings on streets when bars, pubs and restaurants open outdoors in Wales next Monday. He said would look “very carefully” at the experience in England over the weekend and would draw a “rounded
We must remain hopeful that we are over the worst, but we must all be realistic that we could yet see a further resurgence of coronavirus later in the year’
First Minister Mark Drakeford
lesson” from it.
Mr Drakeford said because Wales has done things differently, he hopes there won’t be discouraging scenes when these places will be able to open in the outdoors next week.
The sector knows its own prospects of doing more depend on its ability to open safely in the outdoors, he said, adding that he’s been very encouraged by the list of mitigating measures the sector has put in place.
“We want people to have a good time,” but this has to happen in a way which doesn’t increase risk, he said.
Meanwhile, the First Minister said a plan for what will happen with schools in September will be published before the end of this term.
There has been a growing clamour among some education and medical experts for schools to reopen fully in the new academic year, with some warning the dangers of a lack of formal education could be greater than the effects of Covid-19 on children in Wales.
Asked when the Welsh Government will announce a plan for schooling in the autumn, the Mr Drakeford said the les
sons of the past fortnight – which has seen pupils return to school for limited time in the classroom – would inform the plan for September.
He confirmed the plan will be published before the end of this term.
“But it’s really important when you have reallife experience to draw on that you use that opportunity to the maximum,” he said.
Mr Drakeford has also responded to questions on wider health issues.
Asked about the plan for field hospitals – which have remained largely unused during the pandemic – moving forward, the First Minister said the Government’s current thinking is that the nation will want to retain field hospital capacity in Wales in case of a second spike of coronavirus in the autumn or winter.
However, he said it might not be needed on the scale provided for during the first wave.
He said the Welsh Government will decide how much, and where, capacity needs to be retained, and will make announcements accordingly.
The First Minister also reiterated that cancer services are resuming in Wales, as he answered concerns that undiagnosed cancer could lead to excess death in Wales.
He said there were concerns over fewer people coming forward and fewer people being put forward, and admitted some aspects of this remain very challenging.
However, referrals and screenings are resuming, he said.
THE CYNON Valley Museum is appealing for residents to share their stories of lockdown in order to record the area’s own history of 2020.
The Cynon Together project aims to record people’s experiences of lockdown in order to preserve the history and memories of those living in the area through the pandemic.
The museum is encouraging people to send in a photograph along with 100 words in either English or Welsh which will then form part of an exhibition called Exhibition at Home, over the summer months.
Museum co-ordinator, William Tregaskes said the museum has already received a wide variety of images since launching the project, and said one main theme cropping up is people’s newfound love of nature.
“We have received a wide range of imagery, some of the walks people have been on while doing their exercise. Certain historic moments that have been important to people such as the Black Lives Matter protests.”
William added they have also received photographs of people enjoying their gardens more, with it being a popular lockdown hobby.
“They tell a story of what the valley has experienced through this time. Everywhere is different and the Cynon Valley Museum was established to tell the story of this area so it is important we preserve our history in this way.”
This year has been a testing time for the community which was first hid by flooding and then weeks later by the spread of coronavirus.
The exhibition aims to highlight the strength of the community and how people have come together to help everyone pull through this.
“The community spirit has been astounding, from people putting up bunting, celebrating VE Day and clapping for our carers every Thursday night. It is moments like this we want to remember.
“We have also seen people rediscover parts of their community they may not have before. People are more appreciative of their local area from walking, people are enjoying nature a lot more.” William added.
Anyone from the Cynon
Valley can make a submission, whether you are a frontline worker wanting to make sure your story is remembered, or you want to highlight the strange new normal of social distancing in your workplace, the museum wants to record all elements of the pandemic.
To submit your image and text, send them via email to admin@cynonvalleymuseum.wales.
Meanwhile, the musem is hosting a Cynon Valley at Home over the next eight weeks, which will see a guest discussing topics such as local history and art.
The shows will take place at 3pm every Friday, starting this week, and will be streamed live via Zoom and a recording will be made available.
The first show will be a chat with Charlotte Morgan, museum manager at Cynon Valley Museum.