Mask wearing reinstated at Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital as COVID rates continue to climb

All staff and visitors to Glangwili Hospital must wear face masks (unless exempt) with immediate effect due to the increasing prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) has confirmed.

This follows a decision made last week to reinstate both mask wearing and visiting restrictions at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest

The health board said that visiting will continue in general at Glangwili Hospital following the latest review of case numbers, but local ward restrictions so visitors need to contact the ward to arrange a visit in advance.

Mandy Rayani, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience for Hywel Dda UHB, said: “The pandemic has not gone away, and we are grateful for the ongoing support and efforts of our communities to stop the spread, particularly around more vulnerable people.

“These measures will be continually reviewed, and as soon as it is safe to do so, we will ease these restrictions.”

The health board is stressing the continued importance of the behaviours known to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, and the different requirements in place in health and social care settings.

Mandy, added: “Isolating if we have symptoms of COVID-19, or other infectious diseases, is one of the most important things we can do to prevent the onward spread and break the chain of transmission.

“We strongly encourage anyone in our locality who has the classic symptoms, or who suspects they may have COVID-19 to isolate and take an LFD test. If positive, we urge people to continue with the same isolation guidance that has been in place – this will help you to rest and recover and protect others from risk of transmission.”

Earlier this week, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Sir Frank Atherton reminded people to follow simple steps to protect themselves from the risk of catching COVID-19 such as getting vaccinated, wearing face coverings in crowded indoor settings, and taking a lateral flow test if you have symptoms.

The Welsh Government has extended the availability of free lateral flow testing for members of the public until the end of July.

The Welsh Government is due to update its vaccine strategy with details of the next booster dose in the autumn later this week.

Sir Frank said: “The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from coronavirus. While the vaccine does not completely stop transmission it offers protection against serious illness and reduces the risk of hospitalisation.

“You can still get the vaccine if you haven’t had your full course, or you were too ill to get your spring booster and I would encourage parents to think about getting the vaccine for their children over the summer months to help minimise any disruption to their education during the autumn and winter terms.”

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