5th June 2020
North Wales has highest number of new coronavirus cases again – and top doctor has this bank holiday warning
A further six people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Wales, bringing the total number to 1,260.
Public Health Wales today recorded 185 new known cases, meaning 13,169 people have tested positive for the disease in Wales, although the actual number is likely to be much higher.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has 72 new cases today, bringing the total number to 2,399 in North Wales.
The health board area recorded the highest number of cases in Wales in the last 24 hours – more than double Hywel Dda’s figure of 33 which was the second highest.
The total number of deaths in North Wales is 226, but the number doesn’t include some deaths within the community.
Since the outbreak began, 193 people have now tested positive in Anglesey, 446 in Conwy, 476 in Denbighshire, 421 in Flintshire, 380 in Gwynedd and 483 in Wrexham.
Wrexham saw the highest jump with 37 new cases overnight.
Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “With the upcoming Spring Bank Holiday, Public Health Wales reminds the public to continue to adhere to Welsh Government’s restrictions on non-essential travel, caravan and campsites, hotels, B&Bs and holiday accommodations, as well as the limited access to our national parks.
“We also remind owners of second homes in Wales to act responsibly and to avoid traveling to these homes until restrictions have been lifted.
“Social distancing rules remain in effect.
“Public Health Wales fully supports Welsh Government’s revised stay-at-home regulations.
“The message has not changed – anyone can get Novel Coronavirus, anyone can spread it. Stay home, protect the NHS, and save lives.”
He added “Public Health Wales will lead the recruitment of 500 participants within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board as part of the Oxford Vaccine Group COVID-19 vaccine trial.
“The aim of this study is to find a safe vaccine that will develop immunity against the virus and thus prevent the disease.
“Co-ordinated by Health and Care Research Wales, this is a collaboration between Public Health Wales, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and the Centre for Trials Research at Cardiff University
“This is an important study to test the effectiveness of one of the main candidate vaccines for COVID-19 in Wales. If successful, vaccination will provide a route out of this pandemic.
“We will be recruiting participants for screening and administration of vaccine, and monitoring outcomes and safety.
“Public Health Wales has also been working in partnership with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics on new Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody tests.
“In South Wales production is now well underway on the tests, which can detect antibodies that can be used to identify an immune response and may be critical in back-to-work strategies.
“Antibody testing is an important part of our strategy to counter the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to help us understand who has had the disease.
“Knowing that the production of the test will be local to us in Wales was of great importance to us as we determined which suppliers to rely on.
“Anyone experiencing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms can now apply for a home testing kit using the new UK online portal.
“For further information and a link to the booking website, visit: www.gov.wales/coronavirus or www.llyw.cymru/coronafeirws. This will be supported by a national 119 phone service, through which people can also order a home test.