Almost 40,000 people vaccinated in Bridgend County Borough

Latest statistics provided by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board have confirmed that almost 133,000 people have now received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine throughout the region, including 40,000 residents of Bridgend County Borough.

Priority groups one to four are now complete, and the vaccination programme is focusing on priority group five to nine. With around 120,000 residents with these groups, the health board anticipates that it will have delivered one or more doses to each person by mid-April.

In the meantime, residents of Bridgend County Borough who are exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus are being encouraged to continue to make use of local mobile coronavirus testing facilities.

The county borough currently has two testing units in place - a drive-through mobile facility which is currently available between 9am-4pm at the Halo Swimming Pool in Pyle (CF33 6RP), and a walk-through testing facility which remains in place between 8am-8pm at the Bowls Hall car park off Bridgend Life Centre (CF31 4AH).

Booking for both facilities is essential and can be arranged by visiting the Welsh Government website or calling 119, while people with hearing or speech difficulties can book an appointment by calling 18001119.

Anyone who is experiencing a persistent dry cough, high temperature of change in their sense of taste of smell must arrange a test and self-isolate. News that the vaccination programme has now crossed the 40,000 mark in Bridgend County Borough is highly encouraging, and takes us that much closer to being able to emerge from the lockdown restrictions.

At the same time, a Welsh Government-backed community testing programme is about to target 21,500 homes in Caerau, Nantyffyllon, Pyle, Kenfig Hill, Cornelly, Cefn Cribwr, Sarn, Aberkenfig, Coytrahen, Ynysawdre, Bryncethin, Bryncoch, Pencoed, Hendre, Felindre and Heol-Y-Cyw. This will encourage people aged 11 and over living within those areas, including those who have already been vaccinated, to attend a local testing centre for a simple swab test.

As one in three people can be infected with coronavirus without experiencing any of the symptoms, the purpose of the community testing will be to try and identify people who may be spreading the virus without knowing it. The areas in which the community testing is taking place have been identified using data provided by Public Health Wales and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. More details will be revealed in coming days, and I hope that as many people as possible take part in this and do their bit to help fight the spread of the virus.

Council Leader Huw David