Covid-19 briefing note

From tomorrow (Saturday, March 13), people in Wales will no longer be asked to stay at home.

Instead, they’ll be asked to ‘stay local.’

Welsh Government today confirmed the change as part of the gradual easing of restrictions after nearly three months of lockdown.

As always, common sense will be needed…so please take things slowly, stay local and stick to the rules.

We all know this virus is tough and stubborn, and that things can go from good to bad in the blink of an eye.

Let’s keep doing everything we can to beat it.

Other changes

Other changes announced today by Welsh Government include:

Saturday March 13

  • Four people from two households can meet outside to socialise, including in gardens.
  • Outdoor sports facilities, including golf courses, can reopen.
  • Designated solo visitors can enter care homes.

Monday, March 15

  • Hairdressers and barbers can reopen for appointments.

As previously announced, all primary school children will be back in school, as well as secondary pupils in years 11 and 13, and some pupils in years 10 and 12 who are taking exams.

Schools may also be able to offer a check-in session for years 7,8 and 9 prior to Easter. If this is the case, your school will be in touch with details.

Monday, March 22

  • Some non-essential shops can reopen.
  • Garden centres can reopen.

Monday, March 27

  • Self-contained tourism accommodation will be able to reopen if virus levels remain low.

Monday, April 12

  • All shops will be able to reopen (the same date as shops in England).
  • All pupils (both primary and secondary) will be back in school.

Coronavirus levels where you live

Wrexham as a whole is now fourth in Wales, with 66 cases per 100k population on a seven-day rolling basis.

After a big reduction in early February, the drop in cases has slowed – highlighting how stubborn this virus is.

Most parts of Wrexham have continued to improve or seen only slight upward fluctuations involving low numbers.

One part of Wrexham has got worse this week:

  • Acton and Maesydre – 158 per 100k (compared to less than 59 last week).

Only four areas have more than 100 cases per 100k:

  • Acton and Maesydre – 158 per 100k (compared to less than 59 last week).
  • Gwersyllt West and Summerhill – 152 per 100k (same as last week).
  • Hermitage and Whitegate – 114 per 100k (down from 149 last week).
  • Town North, University and Rhosddu – 101 per 100k (same as last week).

If you want to check the figures where you live, visit the Public Health Wales data dashboard and click on the ‘MSOA’ tab.

The virus is still mainly spreading in households between family members.

Stay local

Vaccination update

At the start of this week, 84% of people in North Wales aged 65 to 69 had received a first dose of vaccine – as well as a third of people aged 16 to 65 with underlying health conditions.

In a matter of days, people aged 65 to 69 who haven’t yet had an appointment yet will be invited to call the booking line.

In total, over 270,000 doses have been administered in North Wales, with nearly 42,000 in Wrexham.

Vaccine supplies dipped recently due to production levels, but have picked back up again this week.

Vaccination appointments – do’s and don’ts

A lot of people are working hard to deliver the programme in Wrexham. Here are some things you can do to help.

  • Don’t phone the NHS or your GP to ask for a vaccination appointment (unless you’ve been advised to). When it’s your turn, they’ll contact you.
  • Many of us don’t answer our phones if we don’t recognise the number. However, if you’re in one of the groups currently being vaccinated, the NHS might try to call you if a short notice appointment becomes available.
  • If you receive an invitation for an appointment but don’t want to be vaccinated, please let the NHS know so it can be offered to someone else.
  • When you attend your appointment, stick to social distancing, don’t arrive early and bring a face mask. You should also bring photo ID.
  • You’ll be invited to receive your second dose within 12 weeks of your first. When you receive your second letter, please book your second appointment as soon as possible.

You can read more about the vaccination programme in North Wales on the local NHS health board website.

Remember…vaccination is free

You’ll never be asked to ‘sign up’ or pay to be vaccinated, or asked to give your bank details or passwords.

When it’s your turn, you’ll be contacted by the NHS or your GP.

Changes to track and trace

Have you been identified as a close contact of someone whose tested positive for coronavirus?

You’ll now be advised by a contact tracer from the Track, Trace and Protect service to book a test…even if you don’t have symptoms.

Here’s a handy guide on what you need to know…

TTP flowchart

You can also find out more on the Welsh Government website.

If you have symptoms…

If you have coronavirus symptoms, make sure you self-isolate and get a test.

It could be the most important thing you ever do.

Read more on the Welsh Government website.

Useful sources of information

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