First Minister urges Welsh public to remain cautious against risk of coronavirus despite drop in cases

The First Minister is urging people to remain cautious against the dangers of the coronavirus, stating that whilst new cases of coronavirus in Wales remain low, the pandemic is far from over.

Speaking at yesterday’s Welsh Government press briefing, Mark Drakeford provided an update on the number of people currently being treated for COVID-19.

In total there are 546 people in Wales being treated for the virus, which is 60 per cent lower than the peak in April and the lowest number throughout the pandemic.

He also said 19 people remain in critical care for coronavirus, which is down 88 per cent from the peak in April, while the R Number remains below one.

Meanwhile, over 8,000 people in Wales have been discharged from hospital having been treated for coronavirus.

Mr Drakeford said: “The number of people of people dying of coronavirus has been falling steadily with fewer than 10 deaths reported by Public Health Wales on most days.

“Nevertheless, we are yet to see a single day in Wales, where no coronavirus deaths need to be reported.

“Every day, more families are still added to those already grieving, and we think again today of all of those who have lost a loved one during this pandemic.

“For them, the coronavirus crisis is certainly not over. It’s not over for all of us as well.”

He also noted the increase in coronavirus cases recorded in recent weeks due to outbreaks at food processing plants in Wrexham, Anglesey and Merthyr Tydfil.

“I want to see more freedoms that we have all had to give up restored to us all. I want to see more of the Welsh economy in recovery.

“But this will depend not on the actions of the Welsh Government, but on the actions of us all as Welsh citizens.

“We all need to keep to the golden rules that have helped to keep ourselves safe and which have helped to keep Wales safe too.

“Work from home wherever possible, avoid unnecessary travel, keep our distance from one another. The two metre rule still applies here in Wales.

“(We should) wash our hands often, meet people from only one other household and in the outdoors.

“If we all continue to do this, we can continue to reduce cases of coronavirus forever and we will be able to continue lifting the restrictions in Wales.”