Latest detailed council covid update: “You still need to wear a mask in most indoor spaces in Wales”

Wrexham Council have said there are presently no confirmed cases of the new Omicron variant, “but it is expected to arrive very soon and to spread at a fast rate”.

The latest fortnightly update from Wrexham Council is as usual copied in full below, with the council noting in the wider statement, “Much of Europe is feeling the effects of high Covid numbers at the moment – with countries like Germany, Austria and the Netherlands introducing new restrictions. With the emergence and potential for rapid spread of the new ‘Omicron’ variant, no one can be sure that the UK will not feel the full brunt of a ‘fourth wave’ of infection.

“This underlines the increased importance of vaccination. So if you’re offered a jab – whether it’s a first dose, second, or booster – please take it.”

“Over the past week, the newly identified Omicron strain has provided another twist in the tale of this dreadful pandemic.

“It’s thought to be more infectious than previous variants and we won’t know for several weeks if it’s as bad as, or even worse than, the Delta variant, which has been bad enough.

“It again underlines the importance of getting jabbed, wearing a mask in the right places and being cautious.”

“Remember, unless you’re exempt, you still need to wear a mask in most indoor spaces in Wales – including shops and on public transport.”

The top image is the latest admissions data from the local health board, showing 71 people tested positive for covid on or prior to admission in the week ending 28th of November, up from 54 the week before – and the highest figure since mid February this year. As usual the lighter shaded lines in the backgrounds are the other health boards in Wales.

The full council formal / data update is copied in full below from yesterday, as usual any bolding or italics is from Wrexham Council:

COVID-19 RECOVERY: WCBC BRIEFING NOTE, 3^rd DECEMBER 2021

OVERVIEW

National awareness that “omicron” a new variant of Covid is now in circulation acts as a stark reminder that we must all remain careful and vigilant as we approach Christmas. The data included below highlights the position in Wrexham at the week ending the 28^th of November where Delta remains the most prevalent variant in circulation within our communities. Our goal must be to minimise the spread of covid whether it be the Delta variant or any other variant.

Reported statistics today indicate 108 new cases in Wrexham, indicating a case rate of just over 500 per 100,000.

DATA ON THE VIRUS

TABLE 1: Covid-19 in the County Borough as a whole compared to other Councils in North Wales

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TAKE ACTION NOW TO AVOID OMICRON AND TO SAVE YOUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS – WEAR A MASK AND GET A JAB

• 108 cases were reported in Wrexham today, which is slightly lower than the peak in this, the third wave of the pandemic that occurred just over a week ago.
• The latest 7-day rate for cases is 503.8/100,000 population, which is an improvement on the 524.4 of two weeks ago.
• Positivity (the indicator of community transmission) is 17.7%, down from 18.6% two weeks ago.
• Wrexham’s relative position in Wales has worsened for cases per 100k population (5^th compared to 9^th two weeks ago) and 8^th for positivity, compared to 15^th two weeks ago.
• The Delta variant accounts for 100% of cases, with local community transmission in households, then schools, then social contacts and finally work contacts being the driver of infection.
• The highest rates of infection remain amongst the under 20s, as it has for many months. This is because they are the least vaccinated. This is followed, effectively by their parents, but also growing numbers in older age groups.
• There are presently no confirmed cases of the new Omicron variant, but it is expected to arrive very soon and to spread at a fast rate. It will take 2 to 3 weeks to find out if it is as harmful or even worse than the Delta variant.
• Hospital admissions and deaths remain low compared to Waves 1 and 2 of the pandemic, supporting the view that the vaccine is highly effective against the Delta variant. In fact, there is a very much higher chance of being admitted to hospital if someone has not been vaccinated.
• VACCINATION is the only way out of this. There is strong evidence, from Israel, that the BOOSTER JAB is crucial for reducing the severity of the disease, hospitalisation and death. 
• Mask wearing remains the law under the Level 0 Alert in place throughout Wales.

TABLE 2: Covid-19 in the Sub-Areas of Wrexham (18 MSOA areas used by PHW in its Tableau)

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• All of the 18 sub-areas of Wrexham remain ‘hotspots’ with more than 100 cases/100,000 population, which has been the case for many months. This confirms that there continues to be widespread community transmission throughout the County Borough.
• of the sub-areas have more than 400/100k, compared to 10, two weeks ago. 
• of the sub-areas have more than 600/100k, compared to 7, two weeks ago.
• 9 of the sub-areas have seen an improvement since two weeks ago, meaning that 9 have got worse. This compares to 5 and 13, respectively, two weeks ago.
• Coivd-19 has definitely not gone away in Wrexham; in fact, with the new Omicron variant it is likely to get worse. 
• The only way out of this is WEARING A MASK (IT IS THE LAW IN WALES) AND GETTING ALL OF YOUR VACCINATIONS, including a BOOSTER, as soon as you are eligible.

SCHOOLS

• Head teachers continue to be given extra support to quickly put measures in place in their schools where case rates are high locally.
• Staff and secondary school students are encouraged to take twice-weekly lateral flow tests to help keep coronavirus out of schools.

KEY MESSAGES

This pandemic has thrown at us all so many uncertainties and will do so for some time to come, one thing however is clear is that spread of the virus thrives on human contact. Christmas remains a time when we thrive on spending time with each other and we know this is important for our wellbeing. Our message however, is that we do so safely, and within national law and guidance.

• Wear Masks where they are required
• Listen to your body if you feel unwell take a test