News

Llanelli restrictions ‘helping control’ high Covid-19 cases

Published

4 years ago

October 12, 2020

THE PEOPLE of Llanelli are helping to control the rate of Covid-19 infections in the area, but more needs to be done before restrictions can be lifted.

Positive cases in the ‘health protection zone’ are still three times higher than other parts of the county, but the actions of residents appear to be making a difference.

When the new local restrictions were brought in two weeks ago (Friday, September 25, 2020), the rate of infection within the designated ‘health protected zone’ was 152 per 100,000 of the population.

Although the case rate has gone up and down over the last fortnight, the most recent data shows the rate of infection is now 99.9 per 100,000 people*.

The rate for the rest of the county, excluding Llanelli’s health protection zone, stands at 33.9 per 100,000.

Cllr Emlyn Dole, Leader of the Council, said it shows that people are listening to the advice and helping protect each other.

Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board, working alongside Welsh Government and Public Health Wales, said that whilst the signs are encouraging, the restrictions for the Llanelli area need to remain in place for at least another week to ensure the spread of infection can continue to be controlled.

The situation will be reviewed weekly, with figures and decisions announced every Friday afternoon.

The rest of Carmarthenshire continues to be monitored and all residents are being asked to continue following the national guidelines to ensure the whole county stays out of ‘lockdown’.

The overall rate of infection for the whole of Carmarthenshire has now risen to 53.5 per 100,000 population.

“We’ve been monitoring the cases across the county very closely – particularly in the health protection zone – and whilst we’re relieved to see things are heading in the right direction in Llanelli, we need to be vigilant across the whole of Carmarthenshire as we are seeing cases appearing across the county,” said Cllr Dole.

“We are grateful to the people of Llanelli for everything they are doing to help keep Covid-19 cases under control. Over the last fortnight, the rate of infections has steadily gone down, and this is really pleasing. It doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet but we’re hopeful that the extra measures being taken by people living in the health protection zone will continue to make a big difference.

“We absolutely appreciate the impact these extra measures are having on people’s lives, families and businesses. That is why we are reviewing the situation weekly.

“If the rate of infection continues to fall, we may be able to lift these extra measures placed on the people of Llanelli. If they don’t, or if cases continue to rise in other parts of the county, we may have to make decisions that affect more people.

“For now, I want to say thank you. Thank you for making a difference – please continue to protect each other and bear with these extra measures for a little while longer.”

Social distancing and behaviours at licensed premises continues to be an area of concern.

Test, Trace, Protect contact tracing has shown that transmission of Covid-19 appears to be largely between people of working age, with most clusters traced back to known premises.

In the last two weeks, the council’s enforcement team, supported by Dyfed-Powys Police, have proactively visited more than 200 business premises across Carmarthenshire to offer advice and support, and take enforcement action where necessary.

On the whole, most premises are operating safely and following guidelines well, but 10 premises have been served with closure notices following unsatisfactory inspections – some have since re-opened following significant improvements.

Household ‘clusters’ are also becoming apparent, which means the virus is being passed between people of other age groups who are living together.

Everyone is being urged to continue social distancing, washing hands, wearing a face covering indoors – and also outdoors where they can’t keep two metres apart – self-isolating and getting a test if they experience Covid-19 symptoms including a new continuous cough, high temperature, or loss of taste and smell.

Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board Ros Jervis said: “To protect our own health and that of both our loved ones and wider communities – from the fit and healthy to more vulnerable people – we must all play our part. Please continue to social distance and use other ways of connecting with people, as this is so important for our mental well-being. Wash hands regularly and wear a face covering indoors, and outdoors if you cannot keep two meters apart. Stay at home if you have any symptoms and book a test. There should be no need for you to travel excessively to book a test as we have good testing capacity across Carmarthenshire. And please, if you receive a call from a contact tracer be honest with them no matter what. They are not interested in enforcement but they are doing their job to protect your health and those around you. Being honest and doing what we can to protect each other is so important right now.”

If you have any of the Covid-19 symptoms, including a new continuous cough, high temperature, or loss of taste and smell, please stay at home and book a test the UK-wide website or dialling 119 between the hours of 7am and 11pm (people with hearing or speech difficulties can call 18001 119).

Local commonly asked questions about testing and tracing can be found at hduhb.nhs.wales

News

Man charged after tragic death of six-month-old baby in Tenby car park

Published

2 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A MAN accused of causing the death of a six-month-old baby in a multi-storey car park in Tenby while allegedly under the influence of drink and drugs has appeared in court.

Flaviu Naghi, 33, from Wigan, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance following the incident on Thursday (Jan 2).

The victim, baby Sophia Kelemen, from Leigh in Greater Manchester, was visiting the popular seaside town with her family when she was struck by a Nissan Qashqai on the ground floor of the car park near Sainsbury’s.

***Tragic: Sophia could not be saved following the incident in Tenby*** *(Image: DPP)*

Sophia was airlifted to hospital with critical injuries, including a broken pelvis and a brain bleed, but tragically died the following day (Jan 3).

Her devastated family have since launched a fundraising appeal to help repatriate her body to Romania. Writing on GoFundMe, Sophia’s aunt, Adriana, said: “Never in a million years would I have thought I would have to write a post like this. A seemingly ordinary day turned into our family’s worst nightmare.”

She added: “Despite the efforts of the doctors, Sophia could not cope with the impact, the surgery, anaesthesia, and the brain bleed. All the injuries were too much for her fragile heart, which eventually gave out.”

The family is hoping to raise £7,000 to cover funeral costs.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes at the car park, with emergency services flooding the area and a helicopter hovering overhead. One bystander said: “I saw loads of blue lights and people gathered. It was clear something very serious had happened.”

Naghi appeared at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (Jan 4) and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court on February 7.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Our thoughts remain with Sophia’s family at this incredibly difficult time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.”

Naghi was also arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving and remains on bail for those offences.

The investigation into the tragedy is ongoing.

***The family is hoping to raise £7,000 to cover funeral*** **costs** (Image: DPP)

News

County Council by-election called for Haverfordwest Prendergast ward

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A BY ELECTION will be held to fill a vacancy in the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward.

A Notice of Election was published on 6th January. Anyone wishing to stand for election must submit their nomination papers to the Returning Officer between the 7th and 15th January, between 10am and 4pm.

For further information and to obtain nomination papers please email [email protected] or call the Elections Helpline number 01437 775844.

The Statement of Persons Nominated will be published following the close of nominations. If contested the by-election vote will take place on Tuesday, 11th February.

If you are interested in becoming a Councillor there is more information available on the Democratic Services page of the Council website.

Details on registering to vote are available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website. Anyone in the Prendergast ward who is not registered to vote will need to do so by 24th January to vote at this election.

Poll cards will be sent to electors before the election that will indicate which polling station to vote at.

Photographic ID will not be required to vote at this election.

Health

Local nurse awarded by The Queen’s Nursing Institute

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEGAN WARE, a Learning Disability Children’s Community Nurse in Hywel Dda University Health Board, was recently awarded the ‘Dame Elizabeth Fradd Memorial Prize for Outstanding Achievement’ by the Queen’s Nursing Institute.

This prestigious award was presented to Megan in recognition of her hard work and achievements across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire.

Megan was nominated by one of her lecturers in the University of South Wales. There were many reasons that helped influence her nomination for this award. She has enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to gain experience, develop and achieve. She helped with teaching year one community children’s nursing students in the Specialist Practitioner Qualification (SPQ), sharing her own learning from her clinical practice.

Her innovation and encouragement have inspired others to feel confident within their future specialist practice and she has excelled clinically, achieving all the elements of the course to a high standard.

Megan said: “I have always been passionate about making a positive difference to people’s lives and I feel so privileged to be in the position I am as a nurse working with children with learning disabilities and complex needs. I was completely shocked to have won this award but feel proud at the fact that I have been recognised for my work and efforts in completing the course.”

Megan is also the first learning disability nurse in Wales working within a community children’s nursing team to complete her SPQ in children’s community nursing. The course prepares nurses to become a specialist practitioner following the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s standards of proficiency for community nursing specialist practice qualifications. The skills taught involve health education and health promotion, how to improve quality in healthcare settings, leadership, and management and more.

Sharon Daniel, Interim Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at the health board praised Megan’s achievement, saying: “I am proud of Megan for obtaining this award and for being the first learning disability nurse to study for the Specialist Practitioner Qualification in Wales. It is testament to all her hard work and commitment to extending her knowledge as a nurse working with and benefiting children in our community.”

Megan plans on finishing her dissertation and completing her Masters degree, which will help further her career.

This annual award is for the most outstanding student in the Specialist Practice Qualification in community children’s nursing across universities in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. The Dame Elizabeth Fradd Memorial Prize was established in 2024 to honour the legacy of Dame Elizabeth Fradd, a Fellow of the Queen’s Nursing Institute and a distinguished children’s nurse.