Public Health Wales is seriously concerned about the extremely high numbers of positive Coronavirus cases and the impact it is having on NHS services in Wales.
Another 1,172 COVID cases were confirmed across Wales in Sunday’s figures, meaning that 180,161 people are now known to have contracted the coronavirus in Wales since the pandemic began.
There were 48 newly reported deaths, meaning the number of people to have died with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales now stands at 4,274.
In North Wales, Gwynedd has reported 49 new cases and Anglesey 14 today, with 313 of the new cases being in the north.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board suspended planned surgery at Wrexham Maelor Hospital on 11 January and planned orthopaedic surgery will stop at all hospitals across the region on 18 January.
Planned surgery at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor will continue, although with the rising COVID-19 incidence, this is also under constant review by the Health Board. Trauma surgery will continue as normal across all three hospital sites.
Dr Eleri Davies, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The number of positive Coronavirus cases remains extremely high in Wales and is cause for serious concern, due to the impact on NHS Wales services.
“All of Wales remains in lockdown. We ask that the public adopts the same mindset for this lockdown as they did in March 2020. We understand that people are fatigued but because the new, more infectious variant of coronavirus is circulating across Wales it is vital that we all keep to the lockdown restrictions and do not meet other people.
“This means that you must stay at home. If exercising outdoors, please do this alone or with members of your household or support bubble only. Shop online, but if you do need to visit essential retail then do this alone, if possible, to minimise numbers of people in retail spaces, and avoid stopping to chat with people outside your household. If you must leave home keep your distance, wash your hands regularly, and wear a face mask when required according to the regulations.
“Public Health Wales urges everyone to follow the rules, to avoid transmission of Coronavirus and to protect everyone in our communities, including the most vulnerable.
“Public Health Wales is working with UK partners to investigate and respond to the new variant of coronavirus identified in Wales. The new variant is easier to spread and the public should remain highly vigilant in measures to prevent transmission including maintaining social distancing, regularly handwashing and wearing of face coverings.”
Dr Eleri Davies added: “Though the new variant is more infectious, there is no evidence that it leads to more severe disease.”
