What is the Cabinet Secretary doing to monitor infections in care homes?
Welsh Government officials receive weekly data from Public Health Wales on communicable disease outbreaks and incidents in care homes. This includes a breakdown of acute respiratory (including COVID-19) confirmed incidents by Health Board. Where significant outbreaks and incidents have been confirmed, Welsh Government and Public Health Wales work together with health boards and local authorities on any targeted public health measures that may be needed.
In addition, social care and health protection policy officials meet regularly with representatives from the care home sector and Public Health Wales to discuss recent incidents and outbreaks. Welsh Government and Public Health Wales officials also meet with health board and local authority representatives on a quarterly basis to discuss their work in health protection, including the support provided to care homes in their local area. This helps to ensure that infection, prevention and control arrangements and policies are proportionate and effective in minimising the incidence and impact of communicable diseases, including respiratory infections.