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Covid in Wales: Steep rise in cases in around Christmas | Covid in Wales: Steep rise in cases in around Christmas |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Wales recorded more than 12,000 new Covid cases over the Christmas break | Wales recorded more than 12,000 new Covid cases over the Christmas break |
The days before Christmas saw a steep increase in Covid cases in Wales, latest figures show. | The days before Christmas saw a steep increase in Covid cases in Wales, latest figures show. |
There were 12,378 cases and three deaths with Covid in the 48 hours up to 26 December, Public Health Wales said. | There were 12,378 cases and three deaths with Covid in the 48 hours up to 26 December, Public Health Wales said. |
However Dr Giri Shankar warned it was still too early to see the full impact on case rates of people mixing with family and friends on Christmas Day. | However Dr Giri Shankar warned it was still too early to see the full impact on case rates of people mixing with family and friends on Christmas Day. |
Wales' case rate has risen to 1,004 cases per 100,000 - the highest recorded. | Wales' case rate has risen to 1,004 cases per 100,000 - the highest recorded. |
The Welsh government said the rise was largely due to the Omicron variant spreading among young people mixing before Christmas. | The Welsh government said the rise was largely due to the Omicron variant spreading among young people mixing before Christmas. |
Vaccine booster key to avoiding lockdowns in Wales | Vaccine booster key to avoiding lockdowns in Wales |
Confusion and empty bars under new Wales rules | Confusion and empty bars under new Wales rules |
What are the new Covid rules in Wales? | What are the new Covid rules in Wales? |
Dr Shankar, Incident Director for PHW, who had previously warned Wales was likely to see a "tsunami" of Omicron cases, said: "We did predict a steep increase and that's exactly what we are seeing. | Dr Shankar, Incident Director for PHW, who had previously warned Wales was likely to see a "tsunami" of Omicron cases, said: "We did predict a steep increase and that's exactly what we are seeing. |
"Our rates were quite stable around the 500 per 100,000 mark until a week or 10 days ago. | "Our rates were quite stable around the 500 per 100,000 mark until a week or 10 days ago. |
"It's now heading towards the 1,000 per 100,00 mark." | "It's now heading towards the 1,000 per 100,00 mark." |
According to the latest comparable figures, the daily average number of cases had risen by 67% in a week, up to 23 December. | According to the latest comparable figures, the daily average number of cases had risen by 67% in a week, up to 23 December. |
On Christmas Eve, there were 6,755 positive tests, the highest figure since the start of the pandemic. | On Christmas Eve, there were 6,755 positive tests, the highest figure since the start of the pandemic. |
Cardiff saw the biggest spike after its case rate almost doubled in the space of seven days to 23 December. | Cardiff saw the biggest spike after its case rate almost doubled in the space of seven days to 23 December. |
However, nearly half of all communities across Wales now have case rates above 1,000 per 100,000 people. | However, nearly half of all communities across Wales now have case rates above 1,000 per 100,000 people. |
While the number of coronavirus patients in hospital remains far lower than this time last year - Dr Shankar warned this would likely rise. | While the number of coronavirus patients in hospital remains far lower than this time last year - Dr Shankar warned this would likely rise. |
He added that the "sheer number of people getting infected" meant a "significant number of our people who become sick will end up in hospital." | He added that the "sheer number of people getting infected" meant a "significant number of our people who become sick will end up in hospital." |
New restrictions came into force on 26 December in Wales, including two-metre social distancing, limits on numbers of people meeting indoors and outdoors and nightclubs closing, as part of Welsh government moves to stem the spread of the Omicron variant. | New restrictions came into force on 26 December in Wales, including two-metre social distancing, limits on numbers of people meeting indoors and outdoors and nightclubs closing, as part of Welsh government moves to stem the spread of the Omicron variant. |
The Welsh government said: "Already, people are off work sick, putting essential services under strain and we expect this situation to get worse." | The Welsh government said: "Already, people are off work sick, putting essential services under strain and we expect this situation to get worse." |
Transport for Wales reported some rail services in south Wales had been cancelled due to staff sickness. | Transport for Wales reported some rail services in south Wales had been cancelled due to staff sickness. |
The train operator is advising passengers to check services on its live dashboard before travelling. | |
More than 54% of adults have had their booster vaccine, but on Tuesday a top doctor urged more people to take steps to protect themselves. | More than 54% of adults have had their booster vaccine, but on Tuesday a top doctor urged more people to take steps to protect themselves. |
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Chris Jones said: "This is a worrying time, but if we all work together and look out for each other, we can keep Wales safe. | Deputy chief medical officer Dr Chris Jones said: "This is a worrying time, but if we all work together and look out for each other, we can keep Wales safe. |
"This new variant is very transmissible - it spreads very quickly wherever people come together. | "This new variant is very transmissible - it spreads very quickly wherever people come together. |
"Please take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones [by] wearing a face covering, keeping your distance and if you can, reducing the number of people you meet regularly." | "Please take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones [by] wearing a face covering, keeping your distance and if you can, reducing the number of people you meet regularly." |
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