First death from coronavirus in Wales announced

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has announced the first death due to coronavirus in Wales.

Dr Frank Atherton said: “It is with regret that today I am confirming a patient in Wales has sadly died after contracting COVID-19. I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their request for privacy is respected.

“The patient, who had underlying health conditions, was 68 years old and was being treated at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.”

The First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “I am deeply saddened that a person in Wales who had coronavirus has died. My heartfelt condolences are with their family and friends.

“We continue to work hard to respond to this fast changing situation, as the impact of the virus continues to increase in the days and weeks ahead.”

There are currently 124 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales, but the total is thought to be higher because those with suspected cases are now being told to self-isolate.

The only parts of Wales with no confirmed cases so far are Merthyr Tydfil, Gwynedd and Denbighshire.

36 people have now died across the UK from the virus.

‘Concerning’

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru have today called on the Labour Welsh Government to clarify whether or not they will be ramping up surveillance testing in Wales as a means of creating a fuller picture of the extent of the Coronavirus outbreak.

They have also pointed to Scotland’s Covid-19 helpline for businesses who will face growing uncertainty in coming weeks as the outbreak takes its toll on the economy, arguing that a similar helpline should be set up in Wales.

Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said: “This is an increasingly concerning time for everyone. People across Wales are taking sensible steps to self-isolate if they show symptoms of a new persistent cough or fever.

“It is vital that we grow public confidence by providing as much clarity as possible over the outbreak. That is why we are asking the Labour Government to clarify the situation regarding surveillance testing – a means of providing a fuller picture of the true extent of the outbreak.

“The World Health Organization’s guidance is clear – you can’t fight a virus if you don’t know where it is. Find, isolate, test and treat every case to break the chains of transmission. Every case we find and treat limits the expansion of the disease.”