Latest information on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Visiting

Due to Government advice and the need to protect patients and our staff, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has taken the difficult decision to stop visiting to our hospitals.

Members of the community are asked not to visit any of our hospitals at all, except for in the circumstances below:

• The patient is receiving end-of-life care (visiting to be agreed with clinical team)
• One partner or birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour and in the post-natal period for a limited time only. No other visitors will be allowed.
• Paediatrics and neonatal areas (one person only as agreed with the clinical team)

Appointments

As part our preparations for COVID-19 Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB has also postponed routine surgery, outpatient clinics and appointments.

Symptoms of COVID-19

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature

The most recent advice from Public Health Wales states:

The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.

When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. The three new measures introduced on 23 March 2020:

1. Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes
2. Closing non-essential shops and community spaces
3. Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public

Everybody must comply with these new measures. The relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

These measures are effective immediately. Welsh Government, working with UK Government, will keep these measures under constant review and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.

STAYING AT HOME

You should only leave the house for one of four reasons.

1. Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
2. One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household.
3. Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
4. Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home.

These four reasons are exceptions – even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

These measures must be followed by everyone. Separate advice is available for individuals or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded.

People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

You should only contact NHS 111 if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after seven days.

Community Voluntary Councils are co-ordinating a range of support and volunteering activities within our local communities for those who are most isolated and needing support during the Covid-19 situation. For further information please contact:

Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydful

Interlink (covering Rhondda Cynon Taf)

Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO)

Cwm Taf Morgannwg Volunteer Service email [email protected] or ring 01656 753783 to leave a message and one of our Volunteer Service Team will get back to you as soon as possible

Social Distancing To access advice on social distancing Please Click Here	Latest Public Health Wales Update For daily updates from Public Health Wales Please Click Here	Self Isolation For advice on self-isolation Please Click Here
Symptom Checker To access the NHS Wales online symptom checker Please Click Here	Maternity Services For information on our Maternity Service Please Click Here	Department of Health and Social Care For the guidance in full, visit the Department of Health and Social Care website Please Click Here

To help prevent the spread of Coronavirus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice) especially before cooking and eating and after using the toilet.
• If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• If you need to cough or sneeze catch it with a tissue, bin the tissue and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.