Public Health Wales ‘investigating cases within Wrexham area’

Public Health Wales have said work is ongoing in Wrexham to identify where they believe transmission may be occurring, and identifying local clusters of cases.

In the latest Public Health Wales data release Wrexham has 11 new confirmed cases (22 total in Wales, with 4 in Flintshire) with 74 testing episodes, a 14.9% positive proportion. In the last 7 days, Wrexham has seen 30 new confirmed cases.

Early this afternoon we asked Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and Wrexham Council over apparent new areas of local concern, or if that was specifically untrue. The Health Board and Council refer such queries to Public Health Wales.

Graph from presentation dated 23rd July 2020 – "Inpatient covid-19 activity". Queries in with @PublicHealthW @BetsiCadwaladr @wrexhamcbc on local situation, will see if @WelshGovernment can also give clarity / update. (source: https://t.co/JQFx6k5eSf ) pic.twitter.com/bpUf2M99q0

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 22, 2020

Late last night Public Health Wales issued a statement from Dr Graham Brown, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at Public Health Wales and Chair of the Outbreak Control Team who said: “The OCT was convened to look at the outbreak associated with the workforce at Rowan Foods, and part of its work is to constantly review its data on cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.”

“As part of this process we are investigating cases within the Wrexham area through the Test Trace Protect process. This work naturally includes identifying where we believe transmission may be occurring, and identifying local clusters of cases.”

“We will continue to follow the data to ensure we are taking appropriate and timely decisions to help bring the outbreak to a close.”

The dashboard has new "data relating to transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare settings" https://t.co/0cH5Gmd5Cx pic.twitter.com/NGxp0e5WAK

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 22, 2020

The ongoing official advice to ‘Keep Wales Safe’, and to keep Wrexham safe, is

• always observe social distancing
• wash your hands regularly
• if you meet another household, outside your extended household, stay outdoors
• work from home if you can

And, stay at home if you or anyone in your extended household has symptoms.

 Further information about the symptoms of Coronavirus is available on the Public Health Wales website, or members of the public can use the NHS Wales symptom checker.

Anyone experiencing Coronavirus symptoms can apply for a home testing kit by visiting www.gov.wales/coronavirus, or by calling the national 119 phone service.

Anyone with suspected coronavirus should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.  They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.

Only call 999 if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, do not call 999 just because you are on hold to 111.  111 lines can be busy, but Public Health Wales say you will get through after a wait.