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Cardiff Council Update: 8th September
Here is the latest update from Cardiff Council, covering: the Cardiff and the Vale plan to prevent COVID-19 transmission; some Roath Park Primary School and Ysgol Bro Edern pupils asked to self-isolate; and COVID-19 safety improvement notices issued to city-centre bars.
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Plan to prevent COVID-19 transmission for Cardiff and the Vale published
A plan has been published detailing how Cardiff and Vale University Heath Board, Cardiff Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council will continue to work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The plan sets out how any rise in local cases and clusters will be identified, the nature of the local response, and how decisions will be agreed and action taken in the event of an outbreak.
Twenty-one separate measures are being monitored by the Cardiff and Vale Test, Trace, Protect service in a bid to identify early warning signs of a spike in cases. If concerning trends or patterns are identified through this mechanism a panel of experts is on standby to be convened, review the data and recommend measures that may help slow the spread.
The plan has been published as new figures have shown cases are continuing to rise in the region.
Educational settings, office workplaces, healthcare settings, non-food factories, coastal areas, and the night-time economy have all be marked for close surveillance by the Cardiff and Vale Test, Trace, Protect service.
Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council, said: "We have always known that as restrictions ease across Wales and more establishments begin to re-open, the risk of community transmission will increase.
"The most densely populated regions remain the highest risk, and this certainly applies to the capital city and neighbouring Vale of Glamorgan. It is for this reason that the three partners have been working so closely to prepare a comprehensive plan for prevention and response.
"Licensed premises make a significant contribution to the economy of both Cardiff and the Vale but bars and pubs in particular could be a cause for concern if customers are not following the guidelines on household groups and social distancing."
Len Richards, CEO of the University Health Board, said: "As things stand, no patient is currently receiving critical care for Covid-19 related illness in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and August saw the first day since 15th March that all of the region's care homes have been free of confirmed Covid-19 cases.
"We cannot, however, be complacent about the risk posed by the virus. It is vitally important that people continue to practice social distancing, regular handwashing, and when keeping apart isn't possible wear a mask. There is always a risk of transmission in busy care settings and so we are constantly reviewing the measures in place to ensure they are as effective as possible."
The Cardiff and Vale region has the highest number of pupils and students in Wales and the largest hospital in Wales (University Hospital of Wales, UHW). It is also home to many large workplaces.
Cllr Neil Moore, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "Our regional Test, Trace, Protect service has rightly identified large workplaces as a highly likely source of transmission. Factories with busy and fast paced production lines and loud machinery that can cause people to shout or stand close together are an obvious risk and the correct use of PPE in these settings is very important.
"Office based workplaces too can pose a risk of spread of the virus. They are usually indoor spaces with limited air flow, a high density of people, and are an environment in which people can easily relax and forget to heed the guidance on keeping apart."
The public health guidance for Wales remains unchanged. Maintaining social distance, regularly washing hands and wearing a face covering remain key in preventing the transmission of Covid-19. People should ideally only mix indoors with people from their own household and stick strictly to the four household bubble rules. Most importantly, anyone displaying any of the three main symptoms - a new cough, a temperature, or a loss of taste or smell - must get a test.
Click here to read the plan in full:
Roath Park Primary School and Ysgol Bro Edern pupils asked to self-isolate
60 pupils at Roath Park Primary School have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days following the confirmation of a Covid-19 case at the school.
The Year 6 pupils have been identified as close contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case at the school and have been asked to remain at home in order to reduce the possible spread of the virus to family, friends and the wider community.
An enhanced clean will be carried out today on areas of the school used by the year group.
Head Teacher, Mr Jonathan Keohane, said: "Following confirmation late last night that one of our pupils has tested positive for Covid-19 we acted as quickly as possible, following guidance from Public Health Wales, to inform the parents of all pupils who have been in close contact with the pupil in question."
"Thanks to the strong procedures we have in place, the number of our pupils needing to self-isolate is limited to 60 pupils in one year group and no staff are required to self-isolate.
"We have already implemented enhanced cleaning regimes but as a precaution additional cleansing is also taking place at the school."
"There's a strong school community at Roath Park and I'm sure there will be some understandable concern at this news, but I would like to reassure all our parents, and especially our pupils, that we are listening very closely to the advice given to us by Public Health Wales and the Council to ensure that the potential for any further transmission is minimised and the school remains safe."
"Staff will remain vigilant of any pupils displaying symptoms and will take appropriate action if they suspect a pupil could potentially have Covid-19."
30 pupils at Ysgol Bro Edern have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days following the confirmation of a Covid-19 case at the school on Sunday (6th September).
The Year 7 pupils have been identified as contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case at the school and have been asked to remain at home in order to reduce the possible spread of the virus to family, friends and the wider community.
An enhanced clean has been carried out on areas of the school used by the class.
Head Teacher, Mr Iwan Pritchard, said: "Following the confirmation that a pupil at the school has tested positive for Covid-19 we acted as quickly as possible, in conjunction with Public Health Wales to contact all pupils within the pupil's class bubble. As a precaution, additional cleaning, on top of the daily cleansing regime we have in place, has also been completed.
"Due to the procedures we have in place, restricting contact between different classes and logging seating plans of all lessons, we have been able to limit the numbers of pupils needing to self-isolate and there is no need for parents or pupils that have not been contacted, to self-isolate or be unduly concerned."
"Having kept to the 2 metre social distancing rule, or worn a face covering if this hasn't been possible, no school staff need to self-isolate."
"Staff at the school will continue to be vigilant of any pupils displaying symptoms and take appropriate action if they suspect a pupil could potentially have Covid-19."
The parents of all pupils identified as contacts were contacted by letter and text message on Sunday evening.
Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "The safety of pupils in our schools is a priority and procedures are in place to ensure they are as protected as possible, but with pupils at two Cardiff schools now needing to self-isolate, this is a clear reminder that Covid-19 hasn't gone away.
"I would urge all parents to remain alert and ensure that their children do not attend school if they develop symptoms, and ask all residents, parents or otherwise, to help Keep Wales Safe by following Welsh Government Covid-19 guidance."
https://gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance
City centre bars in Cardiff hit with Covid-19 safety improvement notices
Five popular bars in Cardiff centre were served with improvement notices by officers from the Shared Regulatory Service this weekend for failing to comply with Covid-19 health and safety measures set out by Welsh Government.
Coyote Ugly and Peppermint on St Mary Street, Mocka Lounge on Mill Lane, plus Rum and Fizz, and Gin and Juice on High Street were all issued with notices giving them 48 hours to make changes to the way they are operating.
If the necessary improvements are not made then venue closure notices could be served by the Council under the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020.
Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Michael Michael said: "It is the responsibility of businesses to ensure that social distancing is maintained and their premises can be used in a way that is safe for customers and staff and minimises the potential for Covid-19 to spread."
"Ensuring the city centre is safe to visit is a priority and scenes like those seen on St Mary Street at the weekend are simply unacceptable.
"Businesses should be in no doubt that we will take action against any premises that aren't operating in a safe manner. Officers will be returning to the businesses issued with improvement notices, and visiting others across the city, and will not hesitate to issue closure notices if needed."
Coyote Ugly was visited by officers on Saturday following the emergence of video footage on social media showing customers queueing to enter the venue failing to social distance. Following the serving of an improvement notice on Saturday the venue acted quickly to resolve a number of identified issues and the business is continuing to work with officers to ensure future compliance with the Notice and regulations. Further compliance inspections are scheduled this week.
Members of the public with concerns about a business can report it via our C2C contact centre on 029 2087 2087.
https://www.srs.wales/en/coronavirus/improvement-notices-served.aspx
