A pilot programme monitoring coronavirus in Wales’ sewage systems is finding that virus spikes in the community can be detected in local waste water. The Welsh Government says the programme, launched in June, is now monitoring twenty sites across Wales and covers 80% of the Welsh population. Researchers from Welsh universities were the first to … Continue reading Waste water signals local Covid-19 spikes

A Cardiff University academic has welcomed the Welsh Government’s response to a report on the impact of Covid-19 on Wales’ black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Cardiff University reports Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna is chair of the BAME Covid-19 Advisory Socio-economic Sub-group, which was set up by First Minister Mark Drakeford in response to the pandemic. … Continue reading Report on the impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities leading to change in Wales

Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething has issued a written statement on the genomic analysis of Covid-19 lineages. He writes “Through SAGE and the Technical Advisory Group, the Welsh Government receives updates on the genetic makeup of the virus that causes Covid-19. The insights that come from studying the very building blocks … Continue reading Genomic analysis of Covid-19 lineages in Wales

E-cigarette use among young people has fallen for the first time in Wales but declines in youth smoking have stalled, according to analysis from Cardiff University. The report is based on responses from 119,388 eleven to sixteen year olds who took part in the School Health Research Network’s (SHRN) 2019 Student Health and Wellbeing survey, … Continue reading Fewer young people in Wales vaping but no drop in smoking

Children in Wales have some of the lowest levels of wellbeing among children across thirty five countries, a team of Cardiff University researchers has found. The university reports the team, from the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD), surveyed over two thousand six hundred children from across Wales about their own … Continue reading International study reveals low levels of wellbeing among children in Wales

A new Covid-19 lab testing facility is being set up in Newport in an investment creating two hundred jobs. WalesOnline reports the UK Government’s Lighthouse Lab, at Imperial Park, is a partnership with global diagnostics company PerkinElmer. The project is being supported by the Welsh Government and Life Sciences Hub Wales. Led by the Department … Continue reading New coronavirus testing lab creating 200 jobs in Newport

A Swansea based engineering company has adapted its way of working and is now producing surgical masks, creating new jobs and supporting the Welsh Government’s efforts to increase Welsh production of much needed PPE. The Welsh Government says, with the help and support of its COVID-19 Research, Development and Innovation support fund, Brother Engineering has … Continue reading Brother Engineering plans to make half a million masks per day

The UK’s first medical grade mask making facility is being set up in Cardiff in an £1.5m investment creating over forty jobs. WalesOnline reports Hardshell, a global leader in the production of protective defensive equipment such as body armour and demining suits, has secured product certifications that will allow it to become the first in … Continue reading The UK’s first medical grade mask facility being set up in Cardiff

Covid-19 convalescent plasma is a blood donation extract taken from people who have recovered from coronavirus. For accurate and up to date information on coronavirus please go to gov.uk/coronavirus. If you’re outside the UK please see the information on coronavirus from your national and local authorities. Wales is playing a leading role in a UK … Continue reading Wales’ lead role in antibody transfusion treatment for coronavirus

First Minister Mark Drakeford has issued a call to action for Welsh businesses to create a new Welsh supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to support NHS and social care staff. For accurate and up to date information on coronavirus please go to gov.uk/coronavirus. If you’re outside the UK please see the information on coronavirus … Continue reading Coronavirus: Welsh Government’s call to action for businesses