Summary

  • Senior doctors have written to the first minister urging him to make the use of second homes illegal during the crisis

  • A Swansea hospital worker with Covid-19 has died, just days after the death of her husband who also had the virus

  • A lack of PPE may prevent bodies of coronavirus victims being collected, a funeral directors' group claims

  • Another 15 deaths of people in Wales were confirmed on Wednesday, taking the total number to 624

  • Health Minister Vaughan Gething apologises for swearing about a Labour colleague during a virtual Senedd session

  1. Goodnightpublished at 23:04 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Thanks for joining us for us our live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in Wales on Wednesday.

    As we bring things to a close for the day, these have been some of the main stories:

    • Health minister Vaughan Gething is criticised after being caught swearing about a Labour colleague
    • NHS worker Sharon Bamford, 63, dies after contracting coronavirus, days after husband Malcolm, 73, died in the same intensive care unit
    • Senior doctors have called on First Minister Mark Drakeford to make it illegal for people to visit second homes
    • Wales footballer Gareth Bale has donated £500,000 to the charitable arm of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
  2. Women delivers meals to villagerspublished at 22:58 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    A dentist and a retired bank manager from Whitland, Carmarthenshire have started a new venture delivering meals to vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Eryl Rosser, who is a dentist in Carmarthen, is at home at the moment and only dealing with emergency cases.

    Because she loves cooking, she decided to prepare a Sunday lunch for vulnerable people in the area.

    While Eryl cooks the meals, Meryl James, a retired bank manager delivers them.

    The venture started in their local chapel Tabernacl, where both are members.

    They now prepare and deliver cawl every Wednesday and Sunday.

    "It’s great that we can expand beyond the chapel walls and help not only the chapel community, but everyone that needs help at the moment in Whitland," said Meryl.

    Last week, Eryl prepared 25 Sunday lunches.

    Meryl James and Eryl RosserImage source, Eryl Rosser
  3. Government's call to action for manufacturerspublished at 22:39 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    The Welsh Government is looking for manufacturers in Wales to help produce personal protection equipment (PPE).

    Existing suppliers of PPE or critical equipment or those who are able to provide any additional support on either manufacturing, repurposing products or innovation are being urged to contact the Life Science Hub through their innovation portal, external.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  4. Hospital staff pay tribute to colleaguepublished at 22:30 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Staff at Morriston Hospital have paid tribute to Jenelyn Carter, who died after contracting coronavirus.

    Swansea Bay health board said she was a "lovely, caring" healthcare assistant who worked on admissions.

    Nurse director Mark Madams said she had a "heart of gold" and "would go the extra mile for anyone".

    "We are devastated by her death and offer our sincere condolences to her family and friends," he said in a Facebook message.

    Staff paid tribute on Wednesday.

    Sorry, we're having trouble displaying this content.View original content on Facebook
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Facebook content may contain adverts.
  5. Social restrictions 'to remain for rest of year'published at 22:21 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    A man with a mask on in a pharmacyImage source, PA Media

    It is "unrealistic" to expect normal life to return soon, says the government's chief medical adviser.

    Prof Chris Whitty says the UK will have to live with some disruptive social measures for at least the rest of the year.

    He says "in the long run" the ideal way out would be via a "highly effective vaccine" or drugs to treat the disease.

    But he warns that the chance of having those within the next calendar year was "incredibly small".

  6. Former City manager diespublished at 22:05 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Former Cardiff City manager Jimmy Goodfellow has died aged 76.

    He played for Port Vale, Workington, Rotherham United and Stockport County before retiring in 1979.

    Goodfellow began his coaching career with Newport County as assistant to Len Ashurst and followed him to Cardiff in 1982.

    He was named joint caretaker manager of the Bluebirds in 1984 before becoming permanent boss for a short spell during the 1984-85 campaign.

    Jimmy GoodfellowImage source, NCFC
  7. Team set up to investigate BAME virus riskpublished at 21:50 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    The first minister says a team has been set up to investigate why people from BAME backgrounds are disproportionately affected by Covid-19.

    Yesterday Health Minister Vaughan Gething told the daily Welsh Government briefing the issue would be investigated.

    It came a day after the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) told BBC Wales News high-risk workers from ethnic minorities could face "certain death" from Covid-19 without urgent action.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  8. Rugby legend begins mammoth cycle challengepublished at 21:37 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Inspired by Geraint Thomas' efforts last week, Wales' all-time leading try scorer Shane Williams has begun his own challenge in the saddle.

    He is attempting to cycle 774 miles indoors - the same distance he would have covered in the summer events he had planned to take part in.

    He wants to raise £5,000 for Velindre Cancer Centre, of which he is a patron, and is already well on the way to reaching that target.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  9. MPs agree to allow voting from home during pandemicpublished at 21:18 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    House of CommonsImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    MPs have been putting questions to ministers over video link

    The House of Commons has agreed that MPs will be able to vote from home during the coronavirus pandemic.

    A new digital voting system has been developed but there are concerns that it is not yet robust enough.

    Some MPs expressed concern about the ability to verify who is voting and the alerts letting MPs know when it's time to vote.

    The Commons leader, Jacob Rees-Mogg, insisted the arrangements would be temporary.

    He also agreed not to hold any votes until after the Procedure Committee, external has reported on the system.

    MPs agree to allow voting from home during pandemic

    However votes will not be held until the Procedure Committee has reported on the proposed system.

    Read More
  10. Barman leads community effortpublished at 21:05 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    A barman from Swansea is serving his community in a different way after setting up a Facebook group as the coronavirus pandemic loomed.

    Patrick Mulder said he didn’t expect it to blossom into a support network manned by 185 volunteers throughout the Sketty area.

    They not only deliver food and prescriptions but arrange memorable moments, including for one Swansea City supporter who is self-isolating with multiple sclerosis.

    Mr Mulder said: “The father couldn’t visit him and they were both understandably distressed.

    “He told us that his son was a big Swansea City fan, and within hours the manager, Steve Cooper, rang him."

    Other deliveries have included musical instruments to help people pass the time at home, and a fridge for an NHS worker staying in a hotel to store their insulin medication in.

    Mr Mulder set up the Sketty Community Outreach Group on 15 March, eight days before the lockdown started.

    On 21 March, the newly-formed group had 3,500 leaflets printed at Geoff’s Print Shop, Tycoch, and then delivered them around the area.

    “That ignited the touch paper and the group has been growing steadily ever since,” said Mr Mulder.

    Part of its success, he said, was due to Swansea Council local area coordinators Tara Hughes and Ben Davies-Thompson, who have set up a “street champion” scheme to match people in need with their nearest volunteer.

    VolunteersImage source, Patrick Mulder
  11. Fly-tipping reports 'up 88%' in Wales since lockdownpublished at 20:52 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Rubble, wrecked furniture and hundreds of tyres are among the items which have been dumped near Newport.

    Fly-tipping in Coedkernew has been a problem for some time but it has become worse in recent weeks, it is claimed.

    The ClearWaste app said it had received an 88% increase in tipping reports in Wales since the coronavirus lockdown.

    Newport councillor Allan Morris said the closure of council tips was a factor but blamed "unscrupulous" fly-tippers taking advantage of "fewer eyes".

    He believes the authority's waste sites would "ideally" be open, but could not criticise the council for wanting to protect staff.

  12. 'You are the champions'published at 20:41 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    A bus driver from Bridgend has paid tribute to all key workers with a rendition of a classic rock anthem by Queen.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  13. From rugby field to farm yardpublished at 20:04 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    With the Pro14 rugby season on hold, Ospreys and Wales flanker Dan Lydiate's attention has turned to the family farm near Llandrindod Wells.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  14. Second homes 'loophole' advice updatedpublished at 19:50 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Large homes in Abersoch

    A Welsh minister has written to council leaders to advise them on how to ensure some second-home owners cannot use a "loophole" to claim £10,000 grants intended for small businesses.

    Five councils wrote to the Welsh Government last week calling for changes to advice so owners of second homes who pay business rates rather than council tax cannot apply for the grants as part of a £1.1bn Welsh Government package.

    The Welsh Government had said councils can ask for more evidence from claimants, but it has now issued fresh advice.

    In a letter to assembly members, Housing Minister Julie James says more than 36,000 grants have been awarded to businesses totalling £456.6m.

    And she outlines how the guidance has been changed:

    • Local authorities can ask self-catering businesses for two years' trading accounts
    • Owners should have let their property for at least 140 days during 2019/20
    • The self-catering accommodation should be the primary source of income for the owner

    Anglesey council, one of the local authorities which had called for changes, said it would not be able to issue grants to self-catering accommodation businesses immediately while it completed the new checks.

  15. Coronavirus or hay fever?published at 19:30 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    How do you know if you have coronavirus or hay fever?

    People have been warned not to mix up the symptoms of the two, so here's how to tell the difference.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  16. 'Fantastic' £500,000 Bale donationpublished at 19:21 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Gareth Bale and his wife Emma have been praised after donating £500,000 to the charitable arm of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

    The Cardiff & Vale Health Charity said it was the couple's wish that the money is used on "the response to Covid-19".

    The charity said the money will provide "those extras for staff and patients that normal NHS funding doesn't provide", during the pandemic.

    CVUHB chief executive Len Richards said the donation was "fantastic".

    The charity added in a statement: "They wanted to give something back to their local NHS as Gareth himself was born in the UHW (University Hospital of Wales) maternity unit, and they say UHW have provided many services to themselves and their family and friends."

    Gareth Bale
  17. Health minister caught swearingpublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    The health minister has been caught swearing about a Labour colleague in a virtual Welsh assembly session after he left his microphone on by mistake.

    Vaughan Gething made the comment about Cardiff Central AM Jenny Rathbone.

    He has since apologised to Ms Rathbone. She had been asking questions about the Welsh Government's coronavirus response.

    Opposition leaders have called for Mr Gething to be sacked by the First Minister Mark Drakeford.

    Media caption,

    Wales' health minister has apologised following calls from the opposition for him to go.

  18. Elite cycling returns - from a safe distancepublished at 19:08 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Luke RoweImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Welshman Luke Rowe has helped Team Ineos - formerly known as Team Sky - win five Tour de France titles

    It's road race cycling, only with team members respecting social-distancing rules by riding the course at home on their training bikes instead of bunched in a peloton.

    This year's Tour de Suisse has been cancelled, so this is as close as the riders will get to riding the event until 2021.

    Each day, three members of each team - selected by the teams themselves - will join the course on their monitors and ride the course in real time for an hour.

    Among those taking part is Welsh cyclist Luke Rowe, who will be representing Team Ineos.

    You can read more about Digital Swiss 5 Cycling here.

  19. 'Suited, booted and ready for PMQs'published at 18:58 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Old habits die hard.

    Even though he had to contribute to Prime Minister's Questions via video link, Aberavon MP Stephen Kinnock still stood up to ask his question.

    Mr Kinnock also had a novel use for a pair of trainers.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  20. £600k electric car charge points work on holdpublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 22 April 2020

    Electric car charge pointImage source, Getty Images

    The deadline for installing 65 electric vehicle charging points across Gwent has been missed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The original deadline for the area's five councils - Blaenau Gwent, Momouthshire, Newport, Caerphilly and Torfaen - to install the points across the region was 31 March.

    However, contractors Silverstone Green Energy stopped work after the lockdown was announced on 24 March.

    The councils had been given a combined £459,000 from the UK government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles to install 65 points – but now they have been allowed to complete this work later.

    It is not yet known when the charging points will be installed and ready for use.

    In total, the contract will cost the five authorities £603,809 between them, with councils making up the £144,809 not provided in grant funding.