Drakeford ‘deeply saddened’ as number of Covid-19 deaths in Wales hits six month high
First Minister Mark Drakeford had said that he is “deeply saddened” after the number of coronavirus deaths reported in Wales hit a six month high.
A total of 37 deaths from Covid-19 were reported to Public Health Wales over the past 24 hours.
It’s the highest number of deaths reported since 15 April when the first peak in Wales was at its height.
43 was the highest number of deaths reporter to Public Health Wales on single days, on both 9 and 13 April. 1,827 have died from Covid-19 in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
“I am deeply saddened the number of coronavirus deaths in Wales reported over the past 24 hours is 37 – the highest number in more than six months,” Mark Drakeford said.
“My thoughts are with the families and friends who are mourning the loss of a loved one.”
Speaking at the Welsh Government’s press conference, Jeremy Miles said the jump showed Wales’ current 17-day firebreak lockdown was “absolutely essential”.
“There is a lag isn’t there between the point at which people are infected, the point to which they are admitted to hospital and then the mortality that we have seen,” he said.
“So we anticipate it is a product of that time lag. What it tells us is that a firebreak is absolutely essential.”
He described the lockdown as “a short, sharp shock to the virus”.
“We have designed it to be as short as possible but that means the measures we are taking have to be deep to be effective,” he said.
“We are asking everyone to weather some short-term pain over this two-week period for our collective, maximum long-term gain.”
‘Discussions’
Jeremy Miles said that there would be a new set of national Covid-19 rules when the lockdown comes to an end on 9 November.
“When we come out of this, our shops will reopen, people will go back to work, churches and places of worship will resume services, bars and restaurants will serve customers, people will be able to exercise and train in gyms,” he said.
“We will discuss these ideas over the next few days with local authorities, with the police, with the people and organisations which need to make the rules work to make sure they are right for Wales.
“We can expect to hear from the First Minister I think in the coming days with a clearer picture of what is ahead following those discussions and following those decisions.”
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