Six new coronavirus cases at Maelor – mobile community testing facilities in Hightown and Caia close

There has been an increase of five cases of coronavirus at the hospital.

Today’s wider figures saw Wrexham again joint top with Flintshire with 5 newly reported confirmed cases each – just under half of the entire Wales total of 21.

The daily updates on the Public Health Wales dashboard now include information from GP surgeries, showing across North Wales last week saw 17 consultations with suspected coronavirus. The dataset also reports a range of other conditions, graphed to allow visualisation of trends.

There was no new information on the local situation in the daily Public Health Wales Statement.

Gill Harris, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board gave a local update from the Health Board, stating, “As of this morning there were 64 confirmed COVID-19 cases at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. We expect this number to fluctuate as test results are received and new patients are admitted to the hospital. There remain a small number of cases at Deeside Community Hospital, Chirk Hospital, and Mold Community Hospital.”

Yesterday the Health Board reported 59 cases at the Maelor.

Ms Harris went on to say, “As part of a proactive approach at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, we continue to screen all patients. All staff have access to the appropriate PPE, and staff who have worked in an environment where we have a confirmed positive cluster have also been tested, in accordance with national guidance.

“As we continue with this proactive approach we expect to find more cases in patients and staff who are not currently symptomatic. This is crucial as it will provide a transparent and accurate picture of the current situation, enabling us to safely manage patients and prevent any unknown potential transmission.

“Please help us to continue to reduce the risk of transmission by only visiting the Wrexham Maelor site if it is absolutely necessary over the weekend. Supporting vulnerable family or friends, or accessing healthcare services, remain the only reasons anyone other than staff should be accessing the site. Our Patient Advice and Liaison Support Service has a Letters to Loved Ones service in place to help you keep in touch with friends and family in hospital without needing to visit.

“Anybody with concerns about loved ones in our hospitals can contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Support Service on 03000 851 234 or email: [email protected].”

The mobile testing centres in Caia Park and Hightown have now stopped operation, with no further data yet released aside from the promising day one figures.

The advice remains to use the normal https://gov.wales/coronavirus route to get more information, and to book a test if you have any of the signs of coronavirus – a new continuous cough, high temperature, and a loss of or change in your normal sense of taste or smell.