WALES’ Health Minister addressed concerns about the picture that coronavirus figures paint in North Wales.

Vaughan Gething addressed concerns at the daily press conference held by the Welsh Government that the number of COVID infections and deaths are now predominantly occurring in the North Wales region, covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB).

Latest Public Health Wales figures show the region reported 25 newly confirmed cases in the last day, making up just over half of the total number of the 48 new cases in Wales as a whole.

Confirmed deaths also top the Welsh table with 338 people sadly losing their life to the virus in the region covered by the health board, according to PHW’s latest data.

Mr Gething points said this data must be observed in context of BCUHB being the largest health board in terms of area for Wales – and was keen to emphasise that the region is actually below average for Wales compared to smaller, more compacted health board areas.

He said: “There has been a later peak of coronavirus in North Wales but it has been a lower peak than experienced in the south east of Wales.

“So, whilst the overall numbers are higher in North Wales, that is because the North Wales health board is the largest. Because of this it gives a bit of a misleading impression.”

The health minister says that more densely populated health board areas in the south east like Cwm Taf, Aneurin Bevan and Cardiff and Vale have seen a more significant impact based on the overall share of population.

He adds that the deliberately cautious approach to the easing of lockdown takes all of these figures into account and help to shape decisions made by the Government.

He said: “Some people want lockdown to end sooner rather than later, they are worried about their businesses and economic livelihoods and others are concerned that we might come out of lockdown too quickly and what that means for health outcomes and the real harm the COVID could still cause.

“This is the balance we need to strike within the Government. We need to make choices that do not that a cavalier approach here in Wales, a properly cautious approach that balances the needs of the economy and public health but recognises that if we came out of lockdown too quickly then we could well see a much further and deeper lockdown that would do future damage to the economy.”

Addressing concerns about schools returning and parents fearful that June 29 is too soon for this to be considered, Mr Gething said the Government would not take any risks that warrant potential danger that could be avoided.

He said: “We’ll continue to be transparent, but we wouldn’t be looking to restart schools if it was dangerous for children, parents and staff. We are looking to work through those concerns and fears.”