LESS than 100 new coronavirus cases were reported in North Wales once again, latest figures show.

Data released by Public Health Wales on February 25 shows that a total of 85 new Covid cases were reported in the North.

This can be broken down to seven in Anglesey, 13 in Conwy, eight in Denbighshire, 18 in Flintshire, 18 in Gwynedd and 21 in Wrexham.

The Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board sadly reported a further two deaths, bringing the total to 869.

The national picture:

Across Wales, a total of 312 cases were reported across the country.

Sadly, a further 21 people lost their lives, bringing the total death toll to 5,284.

The average seven-day rate has fallen to 75 cases per 100,000 people.

Vaccinations:

Data released by Public Health Wales on February 24 shows that a total of 889,270 people have received their first dose of the vaccine and 69,851 received their second dose.

These first doses can be broken down further to the following groups:

80 years and older: 166,444

Aged 75 to 79 years: 125,437

Aged 70 to 74 years: 170,982

Care home residents: 14,873

Care home worker: 36,844

Health care worker: 124,172

Clinically extremely vulnerable: 66,570

Weekly inpatients in all hospital wards in Betsi Cadwaladr at week ending 2/21/2021

The number of confirmed case inpatients stood at 166.

Confirmed case inpatients is an inpatient with a positive test taken within 28 days prior to week ending date specified.

Comment:

Dr Eleri Davies, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Welsh Government yesterday announced that the revised vaccine strategy will mean that every eligible adult in Wales will be offered a first dose by the end of July. In addition, adults with severe or profound learning disabilities, and those with any mental illness that causes severe functional impairment, will be invited for vaccination as part of the JCVI priority group six, and Welsh Government has published guidance on identifying eligible individuals in these groups and how to support them to take up their vaccine offers.

“Welsh Government also announced an expansion of workplace and community testing, with workplaces with more than 50 employees now eligible for support to regularly test their workforce, helping to reduce the spread of the virus and allowing them to operate safely.

“Targeted community testing will begin next week in parts of Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, to help find those who show no symptoms of Coronavirus.

“Coronavirus rates have fallen in every part of Wales, but remain higher in some parts. We remind the public that we remain under level 4 restrictions to keep infection rates falling.

“Please stay at home, meet only the people you live with, work from home if you can, wear a face covering where required, wash your hands regularly, and stay two metres from anyone you do not live with.

“As primary school children aged three to seven years in foundation phase returned to face-to-face learning this week, we thank parents for their perseverence during the winter.

“We need your continued support to control the spread of Coronavirus, so please do not send your child to school if they are unwell, even if you are not sure if they have Coronavirus. Please continue to work from home if at all possible.

“When you take your child to school, always keep your distance from other parents, wear a face covering, and don’t stay around and chat. Please don’t invite other children or their parents to your home to play or stay, even outdoors, and even if they are in the same bubble at school.

“Make sure your child understands the importance of washing their hands regularly.

“The Welsh Government has also confirmed that from Saturday 20 February, four people from two different households are able to meet outdoors for socially distanced local exercise. Please remember this is solely for the purpose of exercise and that individuals should remain at a social distance, and that this guidance doesn’t apply to private gardens.

“From March 1, the law will be changed to allow licensed wedding venues, such as visitor attractions and hotels, to re-open but only to perform wedding and civil partnership ceremonies.

“Restrictions on UK and international travel remain in place. More information on current travel guidance is available on the Welsh Government website.

“More than 850,000 people have now received a first does of the safe and effective Coronavirus vaccine. We encourage everyone, whatever their background, socio-demographic and ethnicity, to have the vaccine when they are offered it. We also stress the importance of seeking information from a trusted source such as Public Health Wales, the Welsh Government, local health board or GP.

“If you or a member of your household develop a cough, fever or change in sense of taste or smell, you must self-isolate immediately and book a free Coronavirus test, either by calling 119 or by visiting www.gov.wales/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19.”