People asked to attend planned appointments – as Health Board give region hospital update

Coronavirus cases at Wrexham Maelor Hospital are ‘low’ at present, however there is a warning that there is a lag time between a rise in community cases and what could be see at the hospital.

Today Wrexham has seen +15 new case on the day on day figures, with Monday’s figures again revised and now stand at +21.

Wrexham is also now at 61.8 cases per 100k population on the latest seven day rolling figures up to the 29th. On Tuesday that figure was 33.1 per 100k, Wednesday 43.5 per 100k and yesterday 59.6 .

An update mainly focused on the outbreak up the coast that has been ongoing since mid-September also included mention of the situation locally in Wrexham hospital.

Debra Hickman, Acting Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “As of this morning we are providing care to 22 patients with COVID-19 infection as part of the outbreak associated with hospitals in the Central region. This includes Glan Clwyd Hospital, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Hospitals. Thirteen of these patients have received care for more than 15 days at our hospitals and are recovering.

“Cases at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Wrexham Maelor Hospital, and our community hospitals in the East and West area remain low at present. However, we must not let this lull us into a false sense of security. We know there is a two-week time lag between a rise in community cases and hospital admissions.

“Everyone has a role to play in controlling the spread of the virus. Please help us to continue to reduce the risk of transmission by only visiting our hospitals if it is necessary. Supporting vulnerable family or friends, or accessing healthcare services, remain the only reasons anyone other than staff should be accessing the site.

“Although local restrictions for Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham came into force yesterday, it is important that people still attend any planned appointments unless they are told otherwise, even with restrictions on travel in place.

“We are also asking patients attending our Minor Injury Units at Llandudno Hospital, Denbigh Hospital and Holywell Hospital to please call ahead so we can manage demand and support social distancing.”