Welsh health boards report steep fall in coronavirus patients

HOSPITALS across Wales are now starting to see a considerable decrease in the number of Covid-19 patients coming through their doors.

According to NHS Wales chief executive Andrew Goodall, there are now 529 patients with either confirmed or suspected coronavirus in Welsh hospitals. That’s more than 60% lower than the peak of the pandemic on April 25 when there were 1,347 recorded.

There was even better news when it came to patients in intensive care, with Dr Goodall announcing that there were only 12 – the lowest number since the beginning of the pandemic.

Here’s what each of Wales’ health boards said...

■ Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

At Wales’ biggest hospital, the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff, there are 40 Covid-19 patients.

A spokeswoman said 29 are in recovery wards as they are 14 days post-infection. Only two patients are in intensive care at UHW.

At University Hospital Llandough (UHL) there are now 66 patients being treated on its Covid wards. Some 45 of these are in recovery.

■ Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

The health board says there are 34 Covid-19 patients at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Wrexham

Maelor combined. And fewer than five of these are in intensive care. ■ Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

According to a spokesman for the health board, there are now zero cases of Covid-19 in its intensive care units.

And the figures are so low in other areas of its hospitals that he claims making it public would risk identifying patients.

■ Hywel Dda University Health Board

According to a health board spokeswoman, there are currently no positive cases of Covid-19 at any of its hospital sites which include Prince Philip in Llanelli, Bronglais in Aberystwyth,

Glangwili in Carmarthen and Withybush in Haverfordwest.

Across all its hospital sites, the number of confirmed and suspected cases combined never got above 112 (51 confirmed, 61 suspected), which was recorded on April 20.

■ Swansea Bay University Health Board

A spokesman for Swansea Bay UHB confirmed that there are currently zero cases of Covid-19 in intensive care.

He added: “The number of Covid patients in the general wards is very low but we are unable to provide a specific figure in order to protect patient confidentiality.”

■ Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB

On July 8, Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB announced that there were no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 coming into its three hospital sites.

This includes Princess of Wales in Bridgend, the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant and Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

■ Powys Teaching Health Board

With a far less concentrated population, Powys has had much fewer cases of the virus than other areas of Wales.

It also does not have an emergency department, with many patients heading into England for treatment.

In these circumstances, figures are not compiled by the health board or NHS Wales.