Public Health Wales statement on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Public Health Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board are urging people in the lower Rhondda area  to remember the vital importance of social distancing, as rising numbers of positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases causes concern.  

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:

“We are aware of a number of COVID-19 cases in the lower Rhondda area in particular in Tonypandy, Porth and Penygraig in Rhondda Cynon Taff.  Infection is being transmitted between friendship groups, households and social settings.

“Test Trace Protect teams are working with those affected and contacting those people who have been in contact with a person who has tested positive.  

“A significant proportion of the positive cases are from the young adult age group and disappointingly, some have been reluctant to share details of where they have been and who they have been in contact with. 

“It is absolutely vital that accurate information is shared with the Test Trace Protect Teams. Their role is not to judge, their primary concern is to gather information that will keep other people safe as we all play our part in trying to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Any information given to Test Trace and Protect teams is treated in the strictest of confidence. 

“By not giving the Test Track Protect teams accurate information, these people are placing their own family members and friends at huge risk. We are urging them to think about other members of their own families, their friends and communities.  Put simply, they are risking other people’s health and other people’s lives, especially if they are symptomatic, by not staying at home and continuing to mix in the local community.

“It is clear that coronavirus is very much still circulating in the UK, and we do expect to see clusters of cases during a pandemic of this nature.  

“Anyone with confirmed Coronavirus must isolate for ten days, with members of their household isolating for 14 days until the risk of passing on further infection has gone. Combined, these simple but effective actions will ensure the virus does not spread.

If you are a contact of someone who is a positive case, and you receive a negative test result, you still have to isolate for 14 days, as the incubation period for the virus is between 2 and 14 days, so you could still become infectious.  This means you must not leave your house, you must not go out to work or to school.

“We continue to caution and remind the public and business-owners that we all have a vital role in preventing the spread of Coronavirus by always sticking to social distancing guidelines:

• Always observe social distancing
• Wash your hands regularly

·         If you meet another household, outside your extended household, stay outdoors

·         Social gatherings are restricted to 30 people and only when outside

• Work from home if you can

“Anyone with suspected symptoms of COVID-19 infection – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss of smell or taste (anosmia) – must self-isolate and seek an urgent test.

“More information about coronavirus, testing, self-isolation, and social distancing is available from the Welsh Government website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus”