‘Remain alert’ warning as county celebrates lowest coronavirus rates
Poster information
Posted on: Tuesday 13 April 2021
Residents of Bridgend County Borough are being congratulated for working together to make the area one of the lowest in the UK for coronavirus infection rates.
In December 2020, the county borough had the second-highest rate for positive cases of Covid-19 in Wales with 1,118.7 residents out of every 100,000 infected. That figure has now hit a low of just 7.5 residents per 100,000 people.
Chief Executive Mark Shephard said: “This is a fantastic achievement and is testimony to the hard work of local residents in helping to stamp out coronavirus.
“Bridgend County Borough previously had the second-highest rate of Covid-19 in Wales and was almost double the Welsh average.
“We appealed to people to come together as a single, unified community, and to all follow some simple rules designed to keep everyone safe.
“At the same time, the council, Public Health Wales and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board have worked tirelessly to provide and promote vaccinations and mobile testing as well as opportunities for community testing.
“This is an excellent result, and I would like to thank residents for all of their efforts.
“As lockdown restrictions continue to ease and more shops, facilities and services become available, I would also like to urge people not to let their guard down. Coronavirus has not gone away, and even people who have been vaccinated can still carry the virus and spread it to others.
“We must all continue to take great care to follow rules on social distancing, wearing masks and maintaining strong hand hygiene even as we start to move about more freely and visit local shops and other facilities.
“Anyone who experiences a new continuous cough, a sudden rise in temperature or a change in their sense of taste or smell should self-isolate immediately and book a test.
“Mobile testing remains available for anyone who starts to exhibit coronavirus symptoms is available.
“A drive-through facility is currently based at the Halo Swimming Pool on Marshfield Avenue in Pyle (CF33 6RP) between 9am-5pm, as does a walk-through testing facility at the Bowls Hall car park off Bridgend Life Centre (CF31 4AH) between 8am-8pm.
“Booking for both testing facilities is essential, and you can arrange this by visiting the Welsh Government website or calling 119.
“People with hearing or speech difficulties can call 18001119.”