Mask wearing reinstated at Glangwili Hospital

ALL staff and visitors to Glangwili Hospital must wear face masks
(unless exempt) with immediate effect due to the increasing prevalence
of COVID-19 in the community, Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB)
has confirmed.

This follows the decision made earlier this week to reinstate both mask
wearing and visiting restrictions at Withybush Hospital. Visiting will
continue in general at Glangwili Hospital following the latest review of
case numbers but local ward restrictions are in place so please contact
the ward to arrange your visit in advance

Mandy Rayani, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience for
Hywel Dda UHB, said:

“The pandemic has not gone away, and we are grateful for the ongoing support and efforts of our communities to stop the spread, particularly around more vulnerable people.

“These measures will be continually reviewed, and as soon as it is safe
to do so, we will ease these restrictions.”

The health board is stressing the continued importance of the behaviours
known to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, and the different requirements in place in health and social care
settings.

Mandy, added: “Isolating if we have symptoms of COVID-19, or other
infectious diseases, is one of the most important things we can do to
prevent the onward spread and break the chain of transmission.

“We strongly encourage anyone in our locality who has the classic
symptoms, or who suspects they may have COVID-19 to isolate and take an LFD test. If positive, we urge people to continue with the same
isolation guidance that has been in place – this will help you to rest
and recover and protect others from risk of transmission.”

The following measures remain in place at Withybush Hospital (updated
1PM, Friday 8 July 2022):

All staff and visitors to Withybush Hospital to wear masks (unless
exempt);
Visiting to inpatients/wards is paused, except for end-of-life
visits and any visits considered necessary through agreement with the
ward sister/charge nurse;
People attending an outpatient appointment are asked to attend alone
unless they require the support of a carer/relative and 
Testing of all inpatients on admission.

Maternity visiting remains unchanged. A designated birth partner can
visit following admission to hospital during pregnancy, throughout
labour and following birth. A designated partner can attend antenatal
appointments or scans.

Earlier this week, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Sir Frank
Atherton reminded people to follow simple steps to protect themselves
from the risk of catching COVID-19 such as getting vaccinated, wearing
face coverings in crowded indoor settings, and taking a lateral flow
test if you have symptoms.

The Welsh Government has extended the availability of free lateral flow
testing for members of the public until the end of July.

If you, or someone you care for is not online you can telephone 119
between the hours of 7am and 11pm (people with hearing or speech
difficulties can call 18001 119).

Next week the Welsh Government will update its vaccine strategy with
details of the next booster dose in the autumn.

Sir Frank said:

“The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from
coronavirus. While the vaccine does not completely stop transmission
it offers protection against serious illness and reduces the risk of
hospitalisation.

“You can still get the vaccine if you haven’t had your full course, or
you were too ill to get your spring booster and I would encourage
parents to think about getting the vaccine for their children over the
summer months to help minimise any disruption to their education during
the autumn and winter terms.”