Health Minister ‘does not want to scare people’ but says “we potentially face a very difficult few months”

Wales’ health minister has warned that the current Covid-19 measures in place might not be enough to the stop the spread of the virus as we head into the winter months.

Currently there are 17 “local lockdown” “local health protection areas” in place across Wales, with restrictions on travel and seeing people outside of your household.

There are exemptions in place for single parents and people who live alone, who are allowed to bubble up with another household if an area is under tighter coronavirus measures.

At today’s Welsh Government Briefing Health Minister Vaughan Gething warned that coronavirus is once again spreading across Wales.

Currently there are more than 330 people with Covid-19 in hospitals across Wales, an increase of 100 on last week.

The R rate of infection is thought to be 1.37.

Mr Gething said: “The virus is now present and spreading in every part of Wales.

“We have seen coronavirus move from east to west across the UK and likewise from east to west across Wales. This is why the latest area affected is Bangor, as coronavirus has moved swiftly across North Wales.

“The measures that were put in place at both the local and national level to date have helped us to keep the spread of the virus in check. However, there is growing concern that these will not be enough to help see us through the winter.

“Because the virus is spreading so quickly we could see coronavirus infection is reach the same level as the spring peak in the next couple of weeks.

“I do not want to scare people. But I do want people to understand that we potentially face a very difficult few months ahead of us.

“The results in the Office of National Statistics latest infection survey suggests that one person in every 500 has Coronavirus in Wales. The R number is now estimated to be at around 1.37

“There is about there is about a two week delay between cases in the community and hospital admissions. As we see cases rise in the community, we can expect to see corresponding increase in people admitted to hospital and to intensive care.

“We’re seeing a steady increase in the number of people who are seriously ill and need intensive care treatment, including for Coronavirus. The NHS is implementing its plans to increase critical care capacity and once again, transforming theatres and recovery areas into intensive care settings to treat the most seriously ill people.”

He aded: “2020 has been a difficult year. We have all been through so much already. But we must be prepared for a difficult winter ahead of us – coronavirus is moving quickly through the UK and in Wales.”

“It is a highly infectious virus. For most people, it will cause a mild illness. But we know a significant number of people will need hospital treatment. And sadly, some people will die.

“We also know some people who experience after effects long after they have recovered from the illness sometimes known as long covid.

“Now more than ever, we need to act together to keep Wales safe.”

You can view the Welsh Government briefing today on the below video:

You can view the UK Government briefing from today on the below video: