Covid crisis is ‘becoming dire – quickly’
Warning as cases surge across county:
THE leader of Bridgend council has said the coronavirus situation in the area is “quickly becoming dire”, with front-line staff being redeployed.
Council leader Huw David said said key council services are at risk because cases of coronavirus are rising in the county.
Cllr David said the area has gone from being “one of the most improved local authorities in Wales” to “the third-highest area for positive cases of Covid-19 in the country”.
During a meeting on Wednesday, December 16, he told councillors: “Staff are already working flatout to provide vital services in very difficult circumstances. Any further reduction in our workforce will have a major impact on or ability to do so.”
Due to pressures on staff, the council is working to identify which services will need to be cut back.
Cllr David said: “These are definitions of emergency as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act and this is the first time in its history that this council has had to seriously consider such radical actions
“This clearly indicates the level of crisis that we are in the process of responding to.”
According to Cllr David, high numbers of coronavirus cases have forced a comprehensive school, a special school and six primary schools in the area to close earlier than planned.
Warning that “the situation is quickly becoming dire”, Cllr David said: “Ultimately, it is up to us as residents of the county borough to determine what happens next and whether it will become necessary for further drastic measures to take place locally or not.
“We need everyone to think about the possible consequences of their actions and to follow the rules on wearing a mask, socially distancing, washing hands and following the guidance.”
Bridgend County Borough recently became the third-highest area in Wales for positive coronavirus cases with a rate of around 700 cases per 100,000.
Councillor Nicole Burnett, cabinet member for social services and early help, said social services are at risk in the county borough due to “an increase in staff absences either because of Covid-19 or due to the need to selfisolate”.
Cllr Burnett said staff numbers are “tight” among internal and private domiciliary care providers and staff with previous experience of working in sectors such as direct care services are being redeployed.
As part of this, staff are also being given basic training to enable them to deliver front-line services.
“Any further reduction in that workforce may mean that they are unable to meet all care and support plan requirements,” said Cllr Burnett.
She said there is capacity in residential, nursing homes and the council’s children’s residential care service but “the situation remains similarly fragile”.
To tackle the issue, Cllr Burnett said “essential services are being regularly reviewed, prioritised and coordinated”.
Prioritised areas include safeguarding, care for the most vulnerable, mental health assessments, case management for vulnerable children, residential care and fostering services.