Wales has recorded a substantial rise in the number of people catching Covid-19, new figures have revealed. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Covid infection survey found that 173,200 people - around 5.70% of the population or one in 18 - had the virus for the week ending December 28.
That is a big rise on the 57,600 people - 1.89% of the population or one in 55 - with coronavirus in Wales for the week ending December 8 when the last weekly update was published. Across the UK infections have jumped to their highest level since the summer, with nearly three million people likely to have had the virus at Christmas.
Dr Frank Atherton, chief medical officer for Wales, urged anyone with cold, flu or Covid symptoms to stay at home and, in particular, avoid visiting health and care settings. "It's important to remember that Covid-19 has not gone away and there are very high levels of flu and other respiratory viruses circulating in our communities, which is placing a significant burden on our health and care system," he said.
"We are not fully immune to either virus and we must keep our defences up to continue to keep Wales safe and reduce pressure on the NHS. I encourage anyone with cold, flu or Covid symptoms to please try to stay at home and not visit health and care settings and keep washing your hands regularly. If you have symptoms and have to go out, wear a face covering.
"If you're eligible for a Covid booster or flu vaccine and have not had your jab, please take up the offer, to protect yourself, your loved ones and our communities. Similarly, if you have children eligible for a flu nasal spray, it's really important they receive it to protect themselves and limit the spread of the virus. Check your health board's website for more information.
"The response from the public in dealing with Covid has been outstanding in Wales and we want to thank everyone for working with us to keep Wales safe and protect our health service."
According to the ONS a total of 2.97 million people in private households in the UK were likely to test positive for coronavirus in the week to December 28. That is more than double the number at the start of the month and is the highest total since mid-July.
Michelle Bowen, ONS head of health surveillance, said that infections have risen across the whole of the UK, with levels in Northern Ireland now at their highest since March 2022. She added: "Across English regions, infections have increased in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the East of England, the South East and the South West. Cases have also increased in those aged two to school Year 6, and those aged 50 years and over."
However, there appears to be more encouraging news when it comes to people being treated for Covid in Welsh hospitals. On January 3, there were 551 people in hospital with "confirmed" Covid, however only 49 (9%) of them were being actively treated for the virus. That's down substantially on the 72 being actively treated on December 20.
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