Latest coronavirus data published shows spread continuing in Wales
OVER 130 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed across our region by Public Health Wales (PHW) today.
There have now been 6,630 lab-confirmed cases of the virus from the combined counties that make up the North Wales region since the outbreak of the pandemic – after more incidents were confirmed in the latest figures released today.
Public Health Wales confirmed that the 132 of today's 627 newly confirmed Welsh cases were from the northern region and can be broken down as such:
Anglesey – Nine (12.8 per 100,000 population as of today)
Conwy – 28 (23.9 per 100,000 population as of today)
Denbighshire – 17 (17.8 per 100,000 population as of today)
Flintshire – 38 (24.3 per 100,000 population as of today)
Gwynedd – 12 (9.6 per 100,000 population as of today)
Wrexham – 28 (20.6 per 100,000 population as of today)
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – the largest health board in Wales – has reported 429 people have sadly died in the region to date according to PHW data.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics, which are considered a stronger indicator of the overall impact of the virus, and which are based on all deaths where COVID is mentioned on the death certificate, stand at 576 for the health board area.
BCUHB stats:
Confirmed cases as of October 10 – 6,630
New cases from October 10 – 132
Rate of new cases per 100,000 from September 21 to 27 – Anglesey (10.0), Conwy (46.1), Denbighshire (37.6), Flintshire (53.8), Gwynedd (14.5), Wrexham (43.4)
Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to September 28 to October 4 – Anglesey (14.3), Conwy (52.0), Denbighshire (60.6), Flintshire (70.5), Gwynedd (55.4), Wrexham (69.1)
The national picture:
Across Wales, another 627 COVID cases were confirmed in Saturday's figures, meaning that 29,654 people are now known to have contracted the coronavirus since the pandemic began.
There were 21 further reported deaths, meaning the number of people to have died with confirmed cases of coronavirus stands at 1,667 in Wales.
Local lockdowns are currently in force for several areas of south Wales including Neath Port Talbot, the Vale of Glamorgan and Torfaen.
North Wales also came under local restrictions at the beginning of the month across Wrexham, Flintshire, Conwy and Denbighshire. This weekend will also see localised restrictions come into force for Bangor.
At present, Anglesey and wider parts of Gwynedd are not being placed under the same rules.
This is what Public Health Wales' has to say:
Dr Christopher Williams, incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: "Public Health Wales is today confirming 21 additional deaths on our data dashboard. Although this appears to be a large daily upturn in the number of fatalities, this increase is the result of a delay in incorporating 17 deaths that occurred in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board between Saturday 3 and Wednesday 7 October.
"Public Health Wales provides rapid reporting relating to Coronavirus in Wales, which is subject to ongoing data reconciliation. The official statistics relating to Coronavirus deaths in Wales are published weekly by the Office for National Statistics."
Local restrictions have been put in place for Bangor – as well as Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, and Wrexham local authority areas, and in Llanelli.
Dr Williams also discusses the latest restrictions coming into force for Bangor from this evening.
He said: "The First Minister has confirmed that restrictions are being introduced in Bangor following a sharp rise in cases. The new measures will come into force at 6pm on Saturday, October 10, to protect people's health and control the spread of the virus.
"People who live in these areas must abide by these restrictions to protect themselves, their families, friends, older and vulnerable people, and keep Wales safe.
"It is vital that people in every part of Wales stick to social distancing guidelines – that's staying two metres away from others, and washing hands regularly. They must also self-isolate immediately when asked to do so.
"It is World Mental Health Day today (October 10), and we are reminding everyone of the importance of checking in on family and friends who may be struggling – even if this can't be done face to face due to local restrictions in many areas, just picking up the phone can make a big difference to someone's day.
"A recent Public Health Wales survey revealed that more than one in five (21 per cent) of people have been worrying a lot about their mental health, with 55 per cent of those with children in the house also worrying a lot about their children's wellbeing.
"There are resources to support mental health and wellbeing from the How Are You Doing campaign at www.phw.nhs.wales/howareyoudoing. If you have serious concerns for your mental health please do contact your GP."