THE first two cases of coronavirus in Powys have been confirmed, by the Welsh Government.
The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, confirmed that four further patients in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID -19) - bringing the Welsh total to 19.
Three of the new cases had returned to Wales from Northern Italy. Two of those are residents in the Powys local authority area, and the other is resident in the Swansea local authority area.
The other new case, resident of the Caerphilly local authority area, has no history of travel to a country where the virus is circulating, and is not known to have had contact with another confirmed case.
Dr Atherton said: “I can confirm that four additional individuals in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of positive cases in Wales to 19.
“All of the 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.
“We have always been clear that we expected the number of positive cases to increase, which is in line with what has happened in other parts of the world.
“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.Dr Robin Howe, the incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said officials are now seeking to trace the close contacts of the new cases.He said: "The four new patients are being managed in clinically appropriate settings based on the assessment of a specialist infectious disease consultant."By last Friday, March 6 there were 634 people in Wales tested for coronavirus.Dr Howe said: "“We would encourage people to check the updated advice for returning travellers, which now includes guidance for those returning from Italy, China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Iran.“Members of the public can help protect themselves and others by always carrying tissues, and using them to catch coughs or sneezes. They should bin the tissue, and to kill the germs, wash their hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel. This is the best way to slow the spread of most germs, including Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)."The Principality Building Society has said it could offer elief on mortgage repayments for up to three months for members affected by coronavirus.It said it will offer help on case by case basis and well as a mortgage payment break that could include access to fixed rate savings and waiving any associated interest penalties on other accounts.Members will have to contact the building society to discuss what help it can offer.