Public Health Wales statement on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This statement will be updated daily at 2pm
Statement: Wednesday 11 November 2020
Dr Giri Shankar,
Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at
Public Health Wales, said:
“Public Health Wales strongly
advises the public to take personal responsibility for their actions and to
ensure that we are all doing as much as possible to limit the transmission of
Coronavirus. We understand that people will want to carry on with their
Christmas shopping now the fire-break has ended and so we would suggest to try
to visit shops during off-peak times, to always maintain social distancing and
to wear a face covering if you can. Options such as ‘click and collect’ or
online purchasing may also be something to consider.
“Although the
fire-break period in Wales has ended, we
would urge everyone to be aware that this that this does not mean a return to
normality. Coronavirus has not gone away, it
is still active in communities across Wales, and so we all need to take
steps to keep everyone safe and to prevent the transmission of the disease.
“We ask the public to observe
the new regulations and to limit their contact with other people as much as
possible so that we all work together to bring the numbers of positive cases
down.
“This means staying
out of other people’s homes, limiting the times and the numbers of people that
you meet, maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene, working from home if
you can, and self-isolating if you show symptoms of coronavirus or are asked to
do so by contact tracers.
“Urgent action has
been taken following reports from health authorities in Denmark that widespread
outbreaks of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been found in mink farms, with
subsequent spread of a mink-variant virus to the local community.
“Denmark was removed
from the UK Coronavirus travel corridor list on Friday 6 November. Any
travellers returning to the UK will now be required to self-isolate for 14 days
according to the national guidance and legislation https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/self-isolating-when-you-arrive.
“This decision has
been taken as a precautionary measure and will prevent risk to Wales and the UK
from this new strain. Public Health Wales will be in touch with Welsh residents
who have been in Denmark in the past 14 days to explain that they and their
households are required to self-isolate.
“We would also advise
all members of the public with pet mink or ferrets to avoid contact with them
while symptomatic with any COVID symptoms.
“We recognise that many people may be finding
life more challenging, resulting in difficulties with mental health. There are
many agencies which provide help and support, including the C.A.L.L. helpline
on 0800 132 737, which will refer callers to the most appropriate organisation
according to their needs.
“If you are in severe
mental distress or are having suicidal thoughts, please contact Samaritans
Cymru free on 116 123.
“More information
about the new rules is available at the Welsh Government website.
“It is still important
to look after your health, and you can you continue to attend appointments and
seek help for urgent medical issues.
“Attending a booked
NHS flu vaccination appointment and any of Public Health Wales’ screening clinics is a legitimate
reason to travel during the firebreak.
“NHS Wales is still
here to help you if you need care, and it’s important you continue to attend
appointments and seek help for urgent medical issues. You can leave your home
to access local health services, including your GP surgery, dentist,
optometrist or other health service.
“You should phone
beforehand and follow any guidance your local surgery, dentist, optometrist or
health service has put in place to protect you and staff, including the need to
keep 2m away from other patients.
“It’s especially
important to look after our mental health and wellbeing at this time. You can find sources of advice and guidance
on our website if you need some help
or are worried about a loved one.
“If you or a member of
your household develop symptoms of the Coronavirus, such as a cough, fever or
change in sense of taste or smell, you must self-isolate immediately and book a
free Coronavirus test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
“Helpful advice and
support is available via the NHS COVID-19 app. As well as providing
alerts if you have been in contact with someone with Coronavirus, the app will
also tell you the current risk level in your area.
“Information about the
symptoms of Coronavirus is available on the Public Health Wales website, or via
the NHS 111 Wales symptom checker.
Datganiad: Dydd Mercher 11 Tachwedd
Dywedodd Dr Giri Shankar, Cyfarwyddwr Digwyddiad ar gyfer yr ymateb i'r achos
o'r Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19) yn Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru:
“Mae Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru yn cynghori’r cyhoedd yn gryf i gymryd
cyfrifoldeb personol am eu gweithredoedd ac i sicrhau ein bod i gyd yn gwneud
cymaint â phosibl i gyfyngu ar drosglwyddiad Coronafeirws. Rydym yn deall y
bydd pobl eisiau parhau â'u siopa Nadolig gan fod y cyfnod atal byr wedi dod i
ben erbyn hyn. Felly, byddem yn awgrymu ceisio ymweld â siopau yn ystod adegau
tawel, er mwyn gallu cadw pellter cymdeithasol bob amser a gwisgo gorchudd
wyneb os gallwch chi. Efallai y bydd opsiynau megis ‘clicio a chasglu’ neu
brynu ar-lein hefyd yn rhywbeth i’w ystyried.
“Er bod y cyfnod atal byr wedi dod i ben yng Nghymru, byddem yn annog
pawb i fod yn ymwybodol nad yw hyn yn golygu bod pethau’n normal eto. Nid yw
Coronafeirws wedi diflannu, mae'n dal i ledaenu mewn cymunedau ledled Cymru, ac
felly mae angen i ni i gyd gymryd camau i gadw pawb yn ddiogel ac i atal
trosglwyddo'r afiechyd.
“Gofynnwn i’r cyhoedd gadw at y rheoliadau newydd a chyfyngu eu cyswllt
â phobl eraill gymaint â phosibl fel ein bod i gyd yn gweithio gyda’n gilydd i
leihau nifer yr achosion positif.
“Mae hyn yn golygu aros allan o gartrefi pobl eraill, cyfyngu ar faint o
weithiau a nifer y bobl rydych chi'n cwrdd â nhw, cynnal pellter cymdeithasol a
hylendid dwylo, gweithio gartref os gallwch chi, a hunanynysu os oes gennych
chi symptomau coronafeirws, neu os gofynnir i chi wneud hynny gan swyddogion
olrhain cysylltiadau.
“Cymerwyd camau brys yn dilyn adroddiadau gan awdurdodau iechyd yn
Nenmarc y canfuwyd brigiadau eang o achosion o Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19)
mewn ffermydd minc, a bod feirws amrywiolyn minc yn cael ei ledaenu i'r gymuned
leol yn sgil hynny.
“Tynnwyd Denmarc oddi ar restr coridor teithio Coronafeirws y DU ddydd
Gwener 6 Tachwedd. Bellach, bydd gofyn i unrhyw deithwyr sy'n dychwelyd i'r DU
hunanynysu am 14 diwrnod yn unol â’r canllawiau a'r ddeddfwriaeth genedlaethol https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/self-isolating-when-you-arrive.
“Gwnaethpwyd y penderfyniad hwn fel mesur rhagofalus a bydd yn atal risg
i Gymru a’r DU rhag y math newydd hwn o’r feirws. Bydd Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru
yn cysylltu â thrigolion Cymru sydd wedi bod yn Nenmarc yn ystod y 14 diwrnod
diwethaf i egluro bod gofyn iddyn nhw a'u cartrefi hunanynysu.
“Byddem hefyd yn cynghori pob aelod o’r cyhoedd sy’n cadw mincod neu
ffuredau fel anifeiliaid anwes i osgoi dod i gysylltiad â nhw tra bod ganddynt
unrhyw symptomau COVID.
“Rydym yn cydnabod y gallai
llawer o bobl fod yn cael bywyd yn fwy heriol, a all arwain at anawsterau
iechyd meddwl. Mae llawer o asiantaethau sy'n darparu help a chymorth, gan
gynnwys llinell gymorth C.A.L.L. ar 0800
132 737, a fydd yn cyfeirio galwyr at y sefydliad mwyaf priodol yn unol â'u
hanghenion.
“Os ydych chi’n wynebu trallod meddwl difrifol, neu os ydych yn meddwl
am gyflawni hunanladdiad, cysylltwch â Samariaid Cymru yn rhad ac am ddim ar
116 123.
“Mae rhagor o wybodaeth am y rheolau newydd ar gael ar wefan Llywodraeth Cymru.
“Mae hi’n dal yn bwysig gofalu am eich iechyd a gallwch barhau i fynychu
apwyntiadau a cheisio cymorth ar gyfer materion meddygol brys.
“Mae mynychu apwyntiad wedi’i archebu i gael brechiad ffliw y GIG a
mynychu unrhyw un o glinigau
sgrinio Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru yn rheswm
dilys i deithio yn ystod y cyfnod atal byr.
“Mae GIG Cymru yma o hyd i'ch helpu os oes angen gofal arnoch, ac mae'n
bwysig i chi barhau i fynychu apwyntiadau a cheisio cymorth ar gyfer materion
meddygol brys. Gallwch adael eich cartref i gael mynediad at wasanaethau iechyd
lleol, gan gynnwys eich practis meddyg teulu, deintydd, optometrydd neu
wasanaeth iechyd arall.
“Dylech ffonio ymlaen llaw a dilyn unrhyw ganllawiau mae eich practis
meddyg teulu lleol, deintydd, optometrydd neu wasanaeth iechyd wedi'i roi ar
waith i'ch diogelu chi a staff, gan gynnwys yr angen i gadw 2m i ffwrdd oddi
wrth gleifion eraill.
“Mae'n arbennig o bwysig gofalu am ein hiechyd meddwl a'n llesiant yn
ystod yr adeg hon. Os oes angen
rhywfaint o help arnoch, neu os ydych chi'n poeni am anwyliaid, gallwch ddod o
hyd i ffynonellau cyngor ac arweiniad ar ein gwefan.
“Os byddwch chi neu aelod o'ch aelwyd yn datblygu symptomau
Coronafeirws, fel peswch, twymyn neu newid i synnwyr blasu neu arogli, rhaid i
chi hunanynysu ar unwaith ac archebu prawf Coronafeirws am ddim yn www.gov.uk/get
-coronavirus-test neu drwy ffonio 119.
“Mae cyngor a chymorth defnyddiol ar gael trwy ap COVID-19 y GIG.
Yn ogystal â darparu rhybuddion os ydych wedi bod mewn cysylltiad â rhywun â
Coronafeirws, bydd yr ap hefyd yn dweud
wrthych beth yw lefel gyfredol y risg yn eich ardal.
“Mae gwybodaeth am symptomau Coronafeirws ar gael ar wefan Iechyd
Cyhoeddus Cymru, neu drwy wiriwr symptomau GIG 111 Cymru.