Covid-19: Welsh Government Update

If you want updates like this straight to your inbox, sign-up here.

Latest updates

• First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed playgrounds, funfairs and community centres in Wales will reopen on Monday. Outdoor gyms will also be able to operate as part of the latest measures to lift Wales’ coronavirus restrictions.
  • This is the second of a three-week package of measures to re-open large parts of Wales’ tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors, which was announced as part of the latest 21-day review of the coronavirus regulations last week.
  • https://gov.wales/playgrounds-funfairs-and-community-centres-reopen-first-minister
  • Chief medical officer’s advice: https://gov.wales/cmo-advice-indoor-gyms-indoor-and-outdoor-playgrounds-and-funfairs
• Economy Minister Ken Skates has revealed the Welsh Government’s unique Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) has supported more than 9,000 businesses in Wales, helping them to protect around 75,000 jobs.
  • The fund has seen £150m worth of crucial grants provided to businesses to help them deal with the impacts of coronavirus.
  • Almost £138m has supported micro and SME firms already, with more funding arriving with businesses by the day.
  • https://gov.wales/welsh-government-economic-resilience-fund-protects-75000-jobs
• Health Minister Vaughan Gething has published a written statement about visiting hospital https://gov.wales/written-statement-hospital-visiting-during-coronavirus-outbreak-guidance-july-2020-visiting-purpose
• Technical Advisory Group – Examining Deaths in Wales Associated with Covid-19 https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2020-07/technical-advisory-group-examining-deaths-in-wales-associated-with-covid-19.pdf
• The latest ONS analysis of deaths has been published today.
  • It shows coronavirus was the third most frequent lead cause of death in June 2020, behind dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and ischaemic heart diseases in Wales
  • There were 2,450 deaths involving coronavirus between March and June in Wales.
  • After taking age into account, the rate of deaths in June due to coronavirus, was 53 per 100,000 people in England compared with 47 per 100,000 people in Wales.
  • https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsinvolvingcovid19englandandwales/deathsoccurringinjune2020

• The latest information published by Public Health Wales shows have been a further 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus bringing the total to 16,887 in Wales, although the actual number will be higher.

• Public Health Wales has reported one further death today bringing the total in Wales to 1,546.

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

• The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss of smell or taste.
• If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for seven days from when your symptoms started.
• If you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms of coronavirus, then you must stay at home for seven days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.
• If you have coronavirus symptoms:
  • Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home
  • Plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home and consider what can be done for vulnerable people in the household.
  • Ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home.
  • Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitiser.
  • If you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after seven days, use the 111 online coronavirus service. If you do not have internet access, call 111. In a medical emergency dial 999.
• For information about testing, including to book a test: https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test
• For more advice visit https://gov.wales/stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus

Where to find the latest information

• Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://phw.nhs.wales/news/public-health-wales-statement-on-novel-coronavirus-outbreak/
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• Queries about support for businesses, including about eligibility for the Economic Resilience Fund? Visit the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
• If you can help the effort to produce PPE in Wales please visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/news/provision-critical-equipment-and-personal-protection-equipment-ppe
• Want to know when and where to wear a face mask? https://gov.wales/face-coverings-frequently-asked-questions
  • Want to make your own face covering? https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2020-06/how-to-make-a-3-layer-face-covering.pdf
• The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and routinely supported by a BSL translator. They will be held at 12.30pm. They are live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel and are broadcast live on BBC One Wales and S4C.

• • From the week beginning July 20, the Welsh Government press conference will be held every Tuesday and on the Fridays following the 21-day review of the coronavirus regulations.
  • First Minister Mark Drakeford held today’s press conference – you can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1284088055574347776