The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has urged the Welsh Government to consider establishing a specialist helpline to provide verbal advice to concerned residents and businesses 24/7, following an 84% increase of delta Covid-19 cases.
Her intervention follows today’s case report, which confirmed that there are now 178 cases of the delta variant in Wales - up 81 from the 97 reported last week. Mrs Finch-Saunders has been trying to establish whether the variant is spreading via certain industry settings.
Commenting after her question to the Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services, Janet said:
“Following increasing concerns about the delta variant locally, I have asked the Welsh Government to consider liaising with the region’s health board, so to look at encouraging all residents in Aberconwy to get tested now even if they do not have a symptom.
“It would be my sincere hope that such decisive action would help Wales to get a quick grip on the spread. This is vital if we are to continue towards an economic recovery, especially if one considers that the delta variant is 40% more transmissible than the Kent strain.
“Last night, I was contacted by a local hotelier who has been informed by a guest that they tested positive 24 hours after returning home. Despite calling NHS Wales for immediate and up-to-date advice, the business was told only to look on the Welsh Government’s website.
“The wait and worry that this approach is causing is completely unnecessary. This is why I have asked the Welsh Government to also look at forming a team who can give verbal advice to concerned businesses 24/7. We must better support those who are working in our collective best interest.”
ENDS
Photo: by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash
