Public urged to stick to the rules following the emergence of new strains of COVID-19

Residents across the region are being urged to continue following the coronavirus restrictions following the emergence of new variants.

In North Wales the Kent strain has become the dominant variant, making up the majority of new cases across the region.

It has also been confirmed that 13 cases of the South African Variant have been found in Wales, with all but three linked to international travel.

Dr Saleyha Ahsan, an intensive care doctor, sadly lost her father, Ahsan-ul-Haq Chaudry, aged 81, over the Christmas period after he contracted COVID-19.

She said: “My dad was very fit and healthy for his age, he was a very outgoing man and loved socialising with his friends and family.

“However, over the last year he had been shielding, this was very difficult for him, as he loved to be out and around people.

“Despite this he still got COVID, we believe it was one of the new variants which we know is extra potent and more transmissible.

“Sadly this killed him. If it can happen to someone like me and my family, who are all medical, it can happen to anyone. It is happening to anyone, it has happened to over 100,000 people.

“We understand everyone is tired of lockdown and want to see their family and friends but we must stick with it.

There is only one way to keep you and your loved ones safe and that is stick to the rules, don’t be complacent.”

Chief Constable of North Wales Police Carl Foulkes said they would continue to enforce fines to those who continue to flout the law by ignoring the legislation.

He said: “I want to thank the vast majority of our community for helping us and our NHS colleagues to help prevent the spread of COVID.

“The vast majority of our communities are doing the right thing by following the rules and helping us and the NHS by slowing the spread of the virus.

“We have increased our level of enforcement for those who do not follow the rules; we will continue to do that.

“We are here to support you and to protect the NHS during this very difficult time but my message is clear, do the right thing, follow the regulations.

“We need to continue to protect each other and help each other. There has been some fantastic community spirit in North Wales over the last year – this is a key part of who we are and we need to keep that ethos going.”