‘Keep your guard up’ warning as coronavirus cases rise

Bridgend County Borough Council is urging local residents not to let their guard down following media coverage of how pandemic arrangements in England are changing.

With Welsh Government preparing to announce its latest 21-day review and publish an updated Coronavirus Control Plan, First Minister Mark Drakeford has already emphasised that continuing to wear face coverings on public transport and within health and social care settings will remain vitally important.

Chief Medical Officer Frank Atherton has also confirmed that across Wales, coronavirus cases are doubling every six-and-a-half days, with Public Health Wales estimating the ‘R’ number to be between 1.8 and 1.9 - one of the highest rates reported at any point since the peak of the first wave.

We all need to be very clear that coronavirus has not gone away, and the pandemic is far from over. The announced easing of restrictions in England on 19 July do not apply here in Wales. Until Welsh Government confirms what the next steps will be, we remain at alert level one, and should act and behave accordingly by following all rules and precautions designed to help keep us safe. It remains absolutely essential for everyone to receive both shots of the coronavirus vaccine. Adults who have not yet received their first jab have started making use of new ‘walk-in’ appointments, which are available at Ravens Court in Bridgend town centre between 9:15am-4:30pm, Monday to Saturday.

These are offering anyone who declined or missed their original appointment a fresh opportunity to catch up, while bookings for second-dose appointments are continuing to run alongside them as normal. Anyone who feels generally unwell or has symptoms such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste should arrange a test immediately and self-isolate at home.

Mobile testing remains available with a drive-through facility operating at Oakwood Drive in Maesteg between 9am-5pm and a walk-through centre at the Bowls Hall in Angel Street, Bridgend between 2pm-8pm. To use either of the other two sites, you must book an appointment by visiting the Welsh Government website or by calling 119. If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can call 18001119 to arrange an appointment. You can also collect lateral flow tests for home use from the Bowls Hall car park between 8am-1pm, seven days a week.

Council Leader Huw David

For more information, visit the  Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board website.