Council offers reassurance over Covid-19 concerns

Following concerns expressed on social media about a possible new case of Covid-19 in the Maesteg area, Bridgend County Borough Council has issued the following statement.

We have been made aware of social media stories circulating of individuals in the Maesteg area who have returned from Zante and who are potentially showing Covid-19 symptoms. All passengers who were on the TUI flight to Wales from the Greek island have been told to self-isolate and undergo a test within the next 48 hours.

Anyone who may believe they have come into contact with individuals who have returned from Zante must be alert to the signs of symptoms of Covid-19. Our Shared Regulatory Services will be in touch with various establishments where it is alleged these individuals were out over the weekend and we are providing support and advice.

We are working closely with the local health board, Public Health Wales and Welsh Government. Anyone who is concerned about their health should arrange to be tested. Getting a coronavirus test is free and simple to do, either by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling the free number 119.

A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesman

A Public Health Wales spokesman said: “Investigations by Public Health Wales into a number of cases of coronavirus in Wales have indicated that a lack of social distancing, in particular by a minority of the 20-30 year age group, has resulted in the spread of the virus to other groups of people.                                                                         

“We would make a direct appeal to young people to remember that even if they feel that they would not be badly affected by Covid-19 were they to test positive, should they pass it on to older or more vulnerable family members, friends or colleagues it could be extremely serious, and even fatal.

“Despite the lower infection rates in Wales, coronavirus has not gone away.  It remains the responsibility of everyone to help prevent the spread of this virus – that is, by self-isolating when asked to do so, staying two metres away from others, and by washing hands regularly.

“Anyone returning to Wales from countries which have been identified as high risk must quarantine in accordance with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regulations even if they are not experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms or have had a negative test result.”

To avoid infecting the people you live with, people who are self-isolating who have tested positive for coronavirus should:

• stay in one room as much as possible and keep the door closed
• avoid using shared spaces (such as the kitchen) at the same time as other people and eat your meals in your room
• use a separate bathroom if possible,  otherwise, use the bathroom after everyone else and clean it each time you use it, for example, by wiping the surfaces you've touched