Covid-19 briefing note

Act as if you might have the virus

Wrexham continues to have the highest coronavirus levels in the whole of Wales (868 per 100k population on a rolling seven-day basis).

The new variant is still spreading rapidly and now accounts for up to 80% of all new cases.

People of all ages are still getting ill, some are dying, and our local health services remain under huge pressure.

It’s grim…but there is hope.

The figures in Wrexham have gone down slightly today, and the lockdown introduced across Wales on December 20 should soon drive numbers down even further.

The vaccination programme is also underway.

But make no mistake…the situation is still really serious and the message is simple:

Act as if you – and everyone you meet – might have Covid-19.

Act as if you and everyone you meet might have Covid-19

In other words, be ultra-careful, be ultra-considerate, and don’t mix with people from other households…indoors or outdoors.

The day-to-day decisions we make can be the difference between life and death for someone.

Numbers = people

This video below shows how numbers have gone up and down in Wrexham during the pandemic.

It’s a stark reminder of how quickly Covid-19 can spread, and it’s important to remember that every number represents people who caught the virus.

Numbers = people.

Coronavirus levels where you live

Most areas of Wrexham have improved a little since the start of this week, although some have got worse and the figures are still very high.

The areas with more than 700 per 100k population are:

  • Hermitage & Whitegate (1,337 per 100k)
  • Gwersyllt West & Summerhill (1,249)
  • Town North, University & Rhosddu (1,137)
  • Rhos and Johnstown South (1,110)
  • Caia Park (1,087)
  • New Broughton & Bryn Cefn (1,044)
  • Llay South & Gwersyllt East (947)
  • Wrexham West (912)
  • Coedpoeth & Brymbo (855)
  • Penycae & Minera (820)
  • Acton & Maesydre (791)
  • Gresford, Marford & Rossett (749)

In Wrexham, the virus is mainly finding its way into people’s homes and spreading between family members.

It’s also making its presence felt in some care homes, workplaces, the hospital and the prison.

Vaccination rollout in Wrexham

Staff and residents at care homes in Wrexham continue to be vaccinated.

As a council, we’ve also been asked to provide the names of front line social care staff who will need the vaccination as soon as possible.

Welsh Government is aiming to vaccinate:

  • All care home residents and staff, health and social care workers, people over 70 and people with underlying health conditions by mid-February.
  • People over 50 by the spring.
  • All other adults by the autumn.

In the coming weeks, every household in Wrexham should receive a letter from the health board, and many will have already received it by email.

It explains more about the vaccine rollout – including how you’ll be contacted about an appointment.

Most vaccination jabs are currently being given at a number of Mass Vaccination Centres (MVCs) in North Wales.

However, there are plans in place to mobilise Local Vaccination Centres (LVCs) in Wrexham when needed, and to use GP practices.

Schools and remote learning

Like the rest of Wales, schools in Wrexham continue to provide remote learning for pupils.

Unless there is a significant drop in virus levels, this will continue until the February half-term.

This is what we all need to do

Act as if you – and everyone you meet – might have Covid-19.

Keep sticking to the current restrictions in Wales and:

  • Don’t mix with people from other households (indoors or outdoors).
  • Don’t travel except for essential purposes…such as work, health reasons or caring duties.

It’s simple to understand, sometimes difficult to do, but we all have to stay strong and stick with it.

Useful sources of information