CORONAVIRUS cases across North Wales continue to decline, latest figures show.

Data released by Public Health Wales on March 4 shows that a total of 83 new Covid cases were reported in the North.

This can be broken down to six in Anglesey, six in Conwy, 11 in Denbighshire, 24 in Flintshire, 11 in Gwynedd and 25 in Wrexham.

The Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board sadly reported a further six deaths, bringing the total to 887.

Incident rate locally:

The rolling seven day cases from February 21 to 27 shows Gwynedd as having the highest number of cases per 100,000 people.

This is broken down to:

Denbighshire: 46 per 100,000

Wrexham: 63.3 per 100,000

Anglesey: 65.7 per 100,000

Flintshire: 59.6 per 100,000

Conwy: 89.6 per 100,000

Gwynedd: 94.7 per 100,000

The national picture:

Across Wales, a total of 267 cases were reported across the country.

Sadly, a further 13 people lost their lives, bringing the total death toll to 5,366.

The average seven-day rate has fallen to 53 cases per 100,000 people.

Vaccinations:

Data released by Public Health Wales on March 4 shows that a total of 951,540 people have received their first dose of the vaccine and 139,445 received their second dose.

These first doses can be broken down further to the following groups:

80 years and older: 165,883

Aged 75 to 79 years: 125,950

Aged 70 to 74 years: 171,999

Aged 65-69 years: 149,008

Clinical Risk groups aged 16 to 64 years: 56,624

Aged 60-64 years: 64,779

Aged 55 to 59 years: 53,281

Aged 50 to 54 years: 45,897

Care home residents: 14,570

Care home worker: 33,310

Health care worker: 128,087

Clinically extremely vulnerable: 70,485

Weekly inpatients in all hospital wards in Betsi Cadwaladr at week ending 2/28/2021

The number of confirmed case inpatients stood at 151.

Confirmed case inpatients is an inpatient with a positive test taken within 28 days prior to week ending date specified.

Comment:

Dr Eleri Davies, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The weekly incidence of COVID-19 infections is now below 50 cases per 100,000 population in half of the local authorities in Wales, although there are some areas which are still high. This continued decrease is encouraging, however it becomes even more important that we continue to stick to the rules in order to maintain this downward pressure on the virus.

“The public should be aware that the level 4 restrictions remain in place in order to keep infection rates falling and that you should stay at home, meet only the people you live with, work from home if you can, wear a face covering where required, wash your hands regularly and stay 2 metres from anyone you do not live with.

“We remind everyone that four people from two different households are now able to meet outdoors for socially distanced local exercise. However, please remember this is solely for the purpose of exercise and that individuals should remain at a social distance, and that this guidance doesn’t apply to private gardens.

“Coronavirus cases by variant in Wales are reported on the UK Government website. The dominant strain in Wales is the Kent variant, and there is currently no evidence of widespread community transmission of other Variants of Concern in Wales.”

“Welsh Government has announced that the revised vaccine strategy will mean that every eligible adult in Wales will be offered a first dose by the end of July. In addition, adults with severe or profound learning disabilities, and those with any mental illness that causes severe functional impairment, will be invited for vaccination as part of the JCVI priority group six, and Welsh Government has published guidance on identifying eligible individuals in these groups and how to support them to take up their vaccine offers.

“Welsh Government also announced an expansion of workplace and community testing, with workplaces with more than 50 employees now eligible for support to regularly test their workforce, helping to reduce the spread of the virus and allowing them to operate safely.

“As primary school children aged three to seven years in foundation phase returned to face-to-face learning, we thank parents for their perseverence during the winter.

“We need your continued support to control the spread of Coronavirus, so please do not send your child to school if they are unwell, even if you are not sure if they have Coronavirus. Please continue to work from home if at all possible.

“When you take your child to school, always keep your distance from other parents, wear a face covering, and don’t stay around and chat. Please don’t invite other children or their parents to your home to play or stay, even outdoors, and even if they are in the same bubble at school.

“Make sure your child understands the importance of washing their hands regularly.

“Restrictions on UK and international travel remain in place. More information on current travel guidance is available on the Welsh Government website.

“More than 942,000 people have now received a first does of the safe and effective Coronavirus vaccine. We encourage everyone, whatever their background, socio-demographic and ethnicity, to have the vaccine when they are offered it. We also stress the importance of seeking information from a trusted source such as Public Health Wales, the Welsh Government, local health board or GP.

“If you or a member of your household develop a cough, fever or change in sense of taste or smell, you must self-isolate immediately and book a free Coronavirus test, either by calling 119 or by visiting www.gov.wales/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19.”