WQ93735 (e) Tabled on 21/08/2024

What steps is the Cabinet Secretary taking to deal with the increasing number of COVID cases across Wales?

Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care | Answered on 27/08/2024

The Welsh Government continues to closely monitor COVID-19 data alongside other respiratory and infectious diseases. The latest Public Health Wales integrated surveillance report shows COVID-19 infections overall have decreased including the weekly number of confirmed case admissions to hospital, and the number of cases who are inpatients.

As COVID-19 is not yet considered a seasonal illness, periodic increases in cases are to be expected and are managed in line with NHS Wales’s year-round planning process.

Planning is already underway by NHS organisations to prepare for the autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme. This will boost immunity in those at higher risk from COVID-19 and improve protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and death. A written statement was issued on 2 August setting out the groups eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine this autumn.