Concerns raised over rising Covid case numbers as pupils return to school

Concerns have been raised over the recent increase in case numbers and hospital admissions due to Covid.

Plaid Cymru’s health spokesperson Rhun ap Iorwerth MS has raised the issue as learners are set to return to classrooms and lecture theatres across Wales.

The latest data from Public Health Wales has shown that positive test results are at their second highest since the pandemic started.

A corresponding rise in hospital admissions from Covid can also now be seen across all health boards in Wales.

Mr ap Iorwerth will be writing to the Welsh health minister to ask how the government is planning to respond to this pattern.

The Welsh Government previously confirmed that vaccination significantly weakened the link between infection and hospitalisation, but Mr ap Iorwerth said rising cases would always lead to rising hospitalisations.

Mr ap Iorwerth said of additional concern is the fact that a recent study shows that one in seven children who catch coronavirus still show symptoms months after the original infection.

He said: “Our learners are returning to schools, colleges and universities at a time when community transmission and hospital admissions are rising, and far higher than at the same point in 2020.

“In 2020, the return to school was a factor in community cases rising even higher, and we cannot ignore that this might happen again.

“Children and young people remain largely unvaccinated, so have little protection against catching the virus, and nothing to stop them passing it on to family and the wider community.

“Of additional concern is the harm that can be caused by long-COVID, and a recent study shows 1 in 7 children with COVID will still show symptoms after 15 weeks.

“Schools are crying out for clearer guidance on how to keep children and staff safe from harm: Some of whom are clinically vulnerable, and will be anxious to find out about government plans for a third vaccine dose.

“Welsh Government must always show how it’s responding to the ever-changing situation in order to try to allay fears, and this is why I’ll be writing to the Health Minister to express the concerns and to seek clarity on the approach she will adopt.”