Summary

  • More key workers in Wales will be allowed to book tests online this week, the first minister has said

  • Families of Welsh NHS and social care workers who die in service as a result of Covid-19 will be entitled to a lump-sum payment of £60,000

  • Aerospace giant Airbus is to furlough 3,200 staff at its north Wales site

  • A delay in Betsi Cadwaladr health board reporting Covid-19 deaths was due to the use of a different computer system, Wales' chief medical officer says

  • Monday's update from Public Health Wales showed 796 people had died with coronavirus, an increase of eight

  • A law firm says it is dealing with dozens of businesses who have been refused lockdown-related payouts by their insurers

  • Fruit and vegetable farms say they have seen an increase in demand for home deliveries

  1. Covid inquiry: The UK pandemic in numberspublished at 13:18 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    Explore the data on how the coronavirus pandemic unfolded in the UK.

    Read More
  2. Thank you and goodnightpublished at 22:46 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    That wraps up Monday's live coverage of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in Wales.

    • The latest figures show 796 people have died with coronavirus, an increase of eight
    • More key workers will be allowed to book tests online this week
    • Families of NHS and social care workers who die in service as a result of Covid-19 will be entitled to a payment of £60,000
    • Aerospace giant Airbus is to furlough 3,200 staff at its north Wales site
    • A delay in Betsi Cadwaladr health board reporting Covid-19 deaths is blamed on the use of a different computer system

    Thank you for following our updates, we'll be back with you tomorrow morning.

  3. Royal Welsh train to decontaminate ambulancespublished at 22:37 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Reservist soldiers from the Royal Welsh have been training to decontaminate ambulances to support the NHS during the coronavirus crisis.

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  4. Volunteer group covers 4,000 miles during outbreakpublished at 22:18 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    A 4x4 truckImage source, 4x4 Response South Wales

    A volunteer group which provides logistical support for the emergency services says it has covered almost 4,000 miles (6,400km) since lockdown began.

    4x4 Response South Wales says it has done the following during the pandemic:

    • Delivered 538 NHS prescriptions
    • Made 11 PPE deliveries
    • Made 33 food bank deliveries
    • Put in 988 volunteer hours
    • Completed 401 separate tasks
    • Helped set up 4 Covid-19 marquees

    "With no date in sight of the lockdown ending, we think we still have many more tasks of all shapes and sizes to come," said James Ward, the group's operations manager.

    A group of delivery driversImage source, 4x4 Response South Wales
  5. 'Lush, just lush'published at 22:06 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas shares the joys of living in the countryside during lockdown.

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  6. Council to resume grass cuttingpublished at 21:57 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Pembrokeshire council has decided to resume grass cutting from early next month.

    It was delayed in March due to lockdown measures, but after talks with managers and other local authorities, the council has decided to go ahead as it was considered the “best option to ensure the health and wellbeing of the residents”.

    Cutting is expected to be time consuming due to excessive growth in some areas.

    Grass verge
  7. 'When will I be able to hug my grandchildren?'published at 21:41 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Grandmother hugging girl (file image)Image source, Getty Images

    The first question from the public at the No 10 briefing brings home the "emotional impact" of lockdown.

    Lynne in Skipton, North Yorkshire, said she missed her grandchildren and wanted to know whether allowing family to hug would be one of the first steps.

    Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the question "brought home the emotional impact of lockdown".

    He said he hoped it would be allowed "as soon as possible".

    'When will I be able to hug my grandchildren?'

    The first question from the public at the No 10 briefing brings home the "emotional impact" of lockdown.

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  8. New drive-through testing centre to open in Conwypublished at 21:27 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    A wman handing in test results at a drive-in centreImage source, Getty Images

    A drive-through Covid-19 test centre for key workers will open in Conwy this week.

    The centre, located in the Builder Street coach park in Llandudno, will open on Wednesday.

    North Wales Resilience Forum said it would begin by testing critical workers.

    "Only critical workers displaying symptoms of the virus will be referred to the drive-through at present," the forum said.

    "These include staff from the NHS, police, fire and ambulance services; care homes and other critical workers defined in Welsh Government policy."

    Builder Street coach park, LlandudnoImage source, Google
    Image caption,

    The Builder Street coach park, Llandudno, will open for testing on Wednesday

    Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Teresa Owen has led work to set up the centre on behalf of the North Wales Resilience Forum.

    She said: “The new drive-through testing centre in Llandudno will play an integral part in our response to coronavirus in north Wales.”

    “The site will greatly increase our regional testing capability and complements several existing Health Board Community Testing Units for critical workers and NHS staff across the region."

  9. This is the moment of maximum risk, Johnson sayspublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    The PM returns as ministers pledge £60,000 for the families of NHS and care staff who die with Covid-19.

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  10. Police close Monmouthshire countryside car parkspublished at 21:01 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Gwent Police have closed car parks at multiple sites in Monmouthshire in response to people in cars congregating.

    Rogiet Countryside Park, Lower Wireworks car park, Tintern (both MonLife managed sites), Black Rock picnic site car park; Llanfoist Crossing car park; and Caldicot Castle Country Park car park also remain closed.

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  11. Tennis nets removed in Swansea after complaintspublished at 20:29 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Tennis courts at Gwilym ParkImage source, @SWPSwansea/Twitter

    Tennis nets had to be removed at a Swansea park due to complaints of people gathering there despite the lockdown, police have said.

    South Wales Police tweeted to say patrols were being carried out at Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach.

    Along with Swansea council, the force said it had been decided the tennis nets had to be taken away "after numerous complaints of persons gathering and playing in the courts".

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  12. 384 beds available at £350m hospital months earlypublished at 20:08 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    The Grange HospitalImage source, Aneurin Bevan

    More than 380 beds have been made available at a new £350m hospital in Torfaen, if needed for the coronavirus outbreak.

    A number of wards at the Grange University Hospital, in Llanfrechfa, have been handed over months ahead of schedule.

    The hospital is scheduled to open fully in 2021, but 384 beds are now available for use.

    The health board said its contractors had worked "around the clock" to get the extra capacity at the new hospital ready in just four weeks.

    It said that, fortunately, it had not seen "the surge in cases it expected" so the beds would not be needed at the moment.

    Inside the Grange HospitalImage source, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

    Chief executive Judith Paget thanked residents and said she hoped the extra beds would not need to be opened early at all.

    “At the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak we needed to plan for the worst-case scenario,” she said.

    “Thankfully the general public have observed the advice on staying at home and social distancing, so we don’t need to open the extra beds just yet.

    “I would urge people to keep following the government guidance to protect themselves, to ease the pressure on our NHS services, and to save lives.”

  13. 'Devil in the detail' on death-in-service payoutspublished at 19:55 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Angela Burns AM
    Image caption,

    Angela Burns AM said she looked forward to full details of the plan being released "as soon as possible.”

    Families of Welsh NHS and social care workers who die in service as a result of Covid-19 will be entitled to a lump-sum payment of £60,000, under a plan unveiled today.

    But, while the Welsh Conservatives broadly welcomed the plan, they said they wanted to hear more about how it would work.

    Angela Burns AM, the party's health spokesperson, said: “Our front-line NHS and social are staff are doing a magnificent job as the pandemic progresses, so naturally, I welcome – in broad terms - this announcement, which will no doubt offer some comfort to those frontline staff and their families.

    "However, the devil is always in the detail, and we need to see more of it before it can reasonably be fully welcomed."

  14. Cemetery access restrictions to be lifted in Bridgendpublished at 19:28 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that restrictions on accessing cemeteries are set to be lifted.

    The entrances to council-maintained cemeteries, including the grounds of Coychurch Crematorium, will be unlocked so that access can be reinstated from tomorrow.

    The restrictions were introduced several weeks ago to maintain social distancing and limit potential exposure to the coronavirus.

    Attendance at graveside funerals will continue to be strictly limited to a maximum of 10 close family members.

  15. Reports of people breaching restrictions 'worrying'published at 19:00 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Chris Elmore MP

    A Welsh MP says he has heard "worrying reports" of people breaching lockdown regulations.

    Chris Elmore MP, Welsh Labour MP for Ogmore, tweeted to say, external: "We can't afford to let our efforts to date go to waste."

    He urged people to stay at home and protect the NHS.

  16. Prince Charles' lecturer diespublished at 18:49 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Tedi Millward with his daughter LlioImage source, Llio Millward

    Prince Charles' Welsh language lecturer Dr Tedi Millward has died at the age of 89.

    Dr Millward, who taught at Aberystwyth University, was a nationalist, an academic and campaigner, his daughter said in a tribute.

    He was asked to tutor Prince Charles ahead of his investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969.

    The lessons featured in and episode of The Crown on Netflix, titled Tywysog Cymru - Welsh for Prince of Wales.

    Dr Millward's daughter Llio Millward described him as "one of the quiet giants of our language and our culture".

    "His passion towards the Welsh language and culture drove every aspect of him, from his personal life, as an academic and as a campaigner," she added.

  17. Airbus furloughs 3,200 after 'bleeding cash' alertpublished at 18:06 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    In a letter to workers Chief Executive Guillaume Faury said the firm's existence was now threatened.

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  18. Families to get compensation for NHS staff deathspublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    NHS staffImage source, Getty Images

    Families of Welsh NHS and social care workers who die in service as a result of Covid-19 will be entitled to financial support of £60,000.

    Health minister Vaughan Gething's announcement was made at the same time as a similar scheme was announced for England.

    The minister said he hoped the payments will provide "peace of mind".

    Eligible beneficiaries will receive a payment of £60,000 under the scheme, which will last for the duration of the Covid-19.

    Vaughan Gething
    Image caption,

    Vaughan Gething praised health and care workers during today's announcement

    Mr Gething said: "Our frontline workers in the NHS and social care sector are going above and beyond to deliver care and services for patients and to the most vulnerable in our communities across Wales.

    "Their bravery on the frontline of this pandemic is something the whole nation is thankful and proud of."

    Plaid Cymru AM Rhun ap Iorwerth said it was an "overdue yet welcome announcement".He added: "The priority must be ensuring our front line workers are kept safe in the workplace by having access to enough of the correct protective equipment they need."

  19. Notre-Dame repairs start up again amid lockdownpublished at 18:04 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Workers set about making the construction site in Paris compatible with social distance rules.

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  20. Tributes paid to 'larger-than-life' delivery driverpublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 27 April 2020

    Paul Wilkins' partner, Linda Jenkins, said he had been feeling unwell for days before he went to hospitalImage source, Family photo

    A "large-than-life" delivery driver has died in hospital after contracting coronavirus.

    Paul Wilkins, 59, of Newport died after three weeks in the city's Royal Gwent Hospital.

    His son Thomas 26, said: "He was a larger-than-life character, he was real family man and he had a lot of friends.

    "As long as his family and friends were alright, he was alright. He put everyone else first. That's who he was. He loved his bikes and he loved his cars. He was more than a father, he was a best friend."

    The father-of-two was taken to hospital with severe breathing difficulties on 1 April.

    He tested positive for Covid-19 and was placed in an induced coma. His family sad he died in the early hours of Thursday morning.