Wrexham coronavirus patient becomes first to die in Wales
The first coronavirus death in Wales has been confirmed at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Dr Frank Atherton, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, confirmed that a 68-year-old patient had died as it was revealed that a further 30 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Wales.
The number of confirmed Welsh cases now stands at 124, with the Swansea area having the highest concentration, with 19 per cent of the total.
The true figure of people who have contracted coronavirus is likely to be far higher as people with mild symptoms are now being told to self-isolate and are not being tested.
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Dr Giri Shankar, the incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The chief medical officer has today confirmed the death of a Welsh resident who had tested positive for novel coronavirus.
"Public Health Wales offer our sincere condolences to family and friends affected by this loss.
“We can confirm that this is the first death in Wales from Covid-19 infection.
"The individual, who was in their sixties and had underlying health conditions, sadly passed away at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
“No further details regarding this individual will be released, and we ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality.
“Thirty new cases have today tested positive for Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 124."
Dr Shankar added: "We are working with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales and others, now that we have entered the 'delay' phase.
"This is now not just an attempt to contain the disease, as far as possible, but to delay its spread."
PHW said the residential areas of 12 of Monday's confirmed cases were not yet available, but as of Monday the Swansea local authority area had 23 confirmed cases, Caerphilly and Newport had 14, and the capital Cardiff had 11.
Only the local authority areas of Denbighshire and Gwynedd in North Wales and Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales had not registered a confirmed case.
Meanwhile, the Wales secretary of the National Education Union Cymru said he welcomed plans to suspend the education inspectorate Estyn from carrying out school inspections during the outbreak.
Teachers have been advised by school leaders to prepare online lessons for pupils in the event they have to learn from home, but the Welsh Government has said schools will remain open for the time being.
David Evans said: "We welcome the chief inspector's plans to suspend Estyn's activities here in Wales. It is a rapidly developing and challenging time, especially for those working in education.
"Not having to worry about an Estyn inspection will be welcomed by our members.
"We welcome the pragmatic approach of the chief inspector, and hope that schools and colleges will receive all the support they need at this critical time."
