Two new coronavirus cases in Neath Port Talbot and Newport brings Welsh total to six

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, has confirmed that two further patients in Wales have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID -19).

The first patient is resident in the Neath Port Talbot local authority area, and has recently returned from Southern Italy.

The second patient is resident in the Newport local authority area, and has recently returned from Northern Italy.

Both patients are being managed in clinically appropriate settings, the Welsh Government said.

The announcement follows the two new cases identified in Pembrokeshire yesterday.

Dr Atherton said: “I can confirm that two additional individuals in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of positive cases in Wales to six.

“Both individuals are being managed in clinically appropriate settings. All appropriate measures to provide care for the individuals and to reduce the risk of transmission to others are being taken.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to assure the public that Wales and the whole of the UK is prepared for these types of incidents. Working with our partners in Wales and the UK, we have implemented our planned response, with robust infection control measures in place to protect the health of the public.”

To protect patient confidentiality, no further details regarding the individuals will be released.

For the latest information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) please check the Public Health Wales website.

Face masks

GP surgeries across Wales will receive packs of face masks, gloves and aprons for their personal protection as they treat people with suspected Coronavirus, Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced today.

Packs were prepared over the weekend, and will be distributed to the 640 GP surgeries in Wales this week.

The Minister also authorised Personal Protection Equipment to be released from stockpiles for use by front line NHS and social services staff, should it become necessary.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “These packs are part of robust infection control measures that we have in place, and I want to reassure people that we are working closely with NHS Wales and social services across the country to implement our planned response.

“It is important that frontline medical and social care staff have the equipment they need to keep them safe while they help people with suspected Coronavirus.

“The face masks, gloves and aprons are part of a stockpile that we have in place as part of our contingency planning should they be needed to support our NHS and social services.”