Public Health Wales statement on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
This statement will be updated daily at 2pm
Statement: Monday 7 2020 Dr Giri
Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response
at Public Health Wales, said: “It is now clear from the data that
the Coronavirus cases are rising in most parts of Wales, reversing the downward
trend we had observed as a result of the fire break. “If
we are to have meaningful and safe interactions within the permitted exclusive
Christmas ‘bubble’, then everyone should now start to limit their interactions
with others as much as possible in the lead up to the festive period. “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. “Public
Health Wales urges everyone to follow the rules, to avoid transmission of
Coronavirus and to protect everyone in our communities, including the most
vulnerable. “The
festive period is important for people across Wales who want to be with loved
ones during the holidays, particularly after a very difficult year, but we
would remind everyone that we must each continue to take personal responsibility to limit the
spread of the virus and protect our loved ones, particularly if they are
vulnerable or extremely vulnerable. For many, this will mean that it isn’t
possible to celebrate Christmas in the way you normally would. “The rising rate of
Coronavirus in parts of Rhondda Cynon Taff is causing significant concern and a mass testing exercise in the
Lower Cynon Valley area started on Saturday and will run until 20 December. “Public Health Wales is
encouraging everyone who lives, studies or works in the area (Abercynon,
Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash West, Mountain Ash East, and Aberaman South) to
attend either the Cynon Valley Bowls Club or Abercynon Leisure Centre between
9am and 7pm for a free test. “Anyone aged 11+ without
any symptoms can have a test, but children under 18 will need parental consent.
The more people who get tested, the more chances we have to reduce the spread
of the virus. “We
understand that people will want to do their Christmas shopping at this time of
year. 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. “The Medicines and
Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has now authorised the first COVID-19
vaccine as safe and effective on the basis of detailed independent expert
review of evidence from large scale clinical trials. “The Pfizer BioNTech
vaccine has become the first to receive MHRA clearance in the UK and 40 million
doses of the vaccine will shortly be available for delivery across the UK, with
Wales getting its allocation based on population. “This is welcome news,
however the effects of the vaccine may not be seen nationally for many months
and it is extremely important that everyone continues to follow the advice on
keeping Wales safe; keep contacts with other people to a minimum, keep a 2
metre distance from others, wash hands regularly, wear a face covering where
required, and self-isolating when asked to do so. “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 either by calling 119 or by clicking here. “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. You can also find sources of advice
and guidance on our website if
you need some help or are worried about a loved one. “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
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. “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 Llun 7 Rhagfyr 2020 Dywedodd Dr Giri Shankar, Cyfarwyddwr Digwyddiad
ar gyfer yr ymateb i'r achos o'r Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19) yn Iechyd
Cyhoeddus Cymru: “Erbyn hyn, mae’r data yn ei gwneud hi’n amlwg
bod achosion o’r Coronafeirws ar gynnydd yn y rhan fwyaf o Gymru, gan wyrdroi’r
duedd i’r ffigurau ostwng yr oeddem wedi’i gweld o ganlyniad i’r cyfnod atal
dros dro. “Os ydym am ryngweithio'n ystyrlon ac yn ddiogel
o fewn y ‘swigen Nadolig’ unigryw a ganiateir, yna dylai pawb yn awr ddechrau
cyfyngu ar ryngweithio â phobl eraill gymaint â phosibl wrth i gyfnod yr ŵyl
agosáu. “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. “Mae Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru yn annog pawb i
ddilyn y rheolau, i osgoi trosglwyddo Coronafeirws ac i ddiogelu pawb yn ein
cymunedau, gan gynnwys y rhai mwyaf agored i niwed. “Mae cyfnod y Nadolig yn bwysig i bobl ledled
Cymru sydd eisiau treulio amser gyda’u hanwyliaid yn ystod y gwyliau, yn
enwedig ar ôl blwyddyn anodd iawn, ond byddem yn atgoffa pawb bod yn rhaid i
bob un ohonom barhau i gymryd cyfrifoldeb personol i gyfyngu ar ledaeniad y
feirws ac i amddiffyn ein hanwyliaid, yn enwedig os ydyn nhw'n agored i niwed
neu'n eithriadol o agored i niwed. I
lawer o bobl, bydd hyn yn golygu nad yw’n bosibl dathlu’r Nadolig yn y ffordd y
byddech chi fel arfer yn ei wneud. “Mae’r gyfradd gynyddol o Coronafeirws mewn
rhannau o Rondda Cynon Taf yn achosi pryder sylweddol a dechreuodd ymgyrch
profi torfol yn ardal isaf Cwm Cynon ddydd Sadwrn a bydd ar waith tan 20
Rhagfyr. “Mae Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru yn annog pawb sy’n
byw, yn astudio neu’n gweithio yn yr ardal (Abercynon, Penrhiw-ceibr, Gorllewin
Aberpennar, Dwyrain Aberpennar a De Aberaman) naill ai i fynd i Glwb Bowlio Cwm
Cynon neu Ganolfan Hamdden Abercynon rhwng 9am a 7pm i gael prawf am ddim. “Gall unrhyw un dros 11 oed sydd heb unrhyw
symptomau gael prawf, ond bydd angen caniatâd rhiant ar blant dan 18 oed. Po
fwyaf o bobl sy'n cael eu profi, po fwyaf y siawns sydd gennym o leihau
lledaeniad y feirws. “Rydym yn deall y bydd pobl eisiau gwneud eu
siopa Nadolig yr adeg hon o’r flwyddyn. Byddem yn awgrymu ceisio ymweld â
siopau yn ystod amseroedd y tu allan i'r oriau brig, 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 bethau i’w hystyried. “Mae Asiantaeth Rheoleiddio Meddyginiaethau a
Chynhyrchion Gofal Iechyd (MHRA) bellach wedi awdurdodi'r brechlyn COVID-19
cyntaf fel un diogel ac effeithiol ar sail adolygiad arbenigol annibynnol manwl
o dystiolaeth o dreialon clinigol ar raddfa fawr. “Brechlyn Pfizer BioNTech yw’r cyntaf i gael ei
gymeradwyo gan MHRA yn y DU a bydd 40 miliwn dos o’r brechlyn ar gael i’w
dosbarthu ledled y DU cyn bo hir. Bydd Cymru’n cael ei dyraniad yn seiliedig ar
ei phoblogaeth. “Mae hyn yn newyddion i’w groesawu, fodd bynnag,
efallai na fydd effeithiau’r brechlyn yn amlwg yn genedlaethol am fisoedd lawer
ac mae’n hynod bwysig bod pawb yn parhau i ddilyn y cyngor ar gadw Cymru’n
ddiogel; dod i gysylltiad â phobl eraill cyn lleied ag y gallwch, cadw pellter
2 fetr oddi wrth bobl eraill, golchi dwylo'n rheolaidd, gwisgo gorchudd wyneb
lle bo angen, a hunanynysu pan ofynnir ichi wneud hynny. “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 naill ai drwy ffonio 119 neu drwy glicio yma. “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. Os oes angen rhywfaint o help arnoch, neu os
ydych chi'n poeni am anwyliaid, gallwch ddod o hyd i ffynonellau cyngor ac
arweiniad hefyd ar ein gwefan. “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. 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
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.