Visiting has been suspended at hospitals in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot due to a sharp rise in community Covid cases. Swansea Bay University Health Board has confirmed that "visiting with a purpose" has resumed with immediate effect, meaning only one friend or relative can visit a patient under "special circumstances".
This includes, for example, visiting someone who is in the last days of their life, or who has a memory impairment, or who needs a high level of emotional support. In other words, it applies when a visit is considered crucial to a vulnerable patient's wellbeing.
The health board said these visits must be agreed in advance with ward staff and are restricted to one hour per day. Visiting for more general social reasons is suspended for now. Specialist areas like maternity services, neonates, mental health and learning disabilities have their own visiting arrangements, and details can be found here.
Read more: Wales sees sharp rise in Covid infection rate due to new Omicron variants
"Unfortunately the increased prevalence of Covid-19 infections in our communities means we must once again restrict visiting to our hospitals, to protect patients and staff," a spokesperson for Swansea Bay UHB said. "We are keeping hospital visiting under regular review, and as soon as we feel it is safe to do so we will ease these restrictions as we realise that visiting is important for patients and their families."
The health board added: "If you have an adults outpatients appointment, please come on your own. We must reduce footfall in our clinical areas to protect other patients and staff. However if you need a carer to assist you, they are welcome to accompany you."
Meanwhile all staff, patients and visitors to hospitals in the region must wear face masks in all clinical and public areas unless exempt.
The recent rise in Wales' Covid infection rate is being driven by the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 . The latest update from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that one in 30 people in Wales, around 3.35% of the population, had the virus during the week ending June 24. That was a significant increase on the one in 45 reported just a week earlier.
The Welsh Government said the rate of positive cases appears to be highest in the region covering Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil. Lateral flow tests continue to be available to members of the public who are showing symptoms of coronavirus – such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. See the latest official list of Covid symptoms here.
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