Health Minister makes warning as rising cases continue to affect NHS services
WALES may keep some Covid restrictions, such as masks, after next week, Health Minister Eluned Morgan warned today.
A new Omicron subvariant has caused cases to soar, she told a press conference.
“We had expected to see a rise in case rates as we gradually released protections but the BA.2 subtype is pushing infections up rapidly,” she said.
One in 25 people in Wales now has Covid, a number that has doubled in three weeks as the new subvariant sweeps across the country and the protection offered by vaccines wears off.
The last Covid restrictions in Wales are due to be lifted on Monday, March 28 but Ms Morgan said some, such as the wearing of masks, might remain.
No final decision had been made, but continuing to wear masks was only a “modest” thing to ask of people.
“We are giving ourselves as much time as we can to look at what’s happening elsewhere in the United Kingdom to learn from their experiences. We will act in the best interests of the NHS and public health in Wales,” said the Health Minister.
“Our hospitals are full already. Any additional pressure on the NHS is going to lead to more difficulties in terms of access to A&E and the difficulties in getting ambulances to people.”
More than 1,200 people are in hospital with Covid, the highest number since last March. While, the number being treated in intensive care remains low and only a fifth of people in hospital with Covid are there to be treated for Covid itself, an increasing number of NHS staff are testing positive and having to isolate.
“All of this means pandemic pressures on our health services are once again increasing just at the point when we had hoped to be able to reset and begin a real focus on waiting times,” said Ms Morgan.
BA.2 has taken become the dominant variant in all four UK countries. It is more transmissible than the original Omicron variant although it is not believed to cause more severe illness. Ms Morgan warned that a previous Covid infection would not make you immune to this variant.
Everyone over 75 in Wales, older care home residents, and anyone immunosuppressed over the age of 12 will soon receive an invitation to book their spring booster. Vaccinations are also being offered to children over the age of five.
Ms Morgan added: “We are continuing to provide first and second vaccinations and boosters. If you haven’t had a Covid-19 vaccine and want one, it is never too late to be vaccinated here in Wales.”
