Coronavirus in Wales: Public should only call NHS 111 if 'can't cope'

Public Health Wales said people with symptoms should stay at home for seven days

People who think they may have contracted the coronavirus no longer need to call NHS 111 in Wales.

Public Health Wales (PHW) is advising those with a fever or a new persistent cough to self-isolate for seven days.

It said those people should not to attend a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital and only contact NHS 111 if they "cannot cope" with the symptoms at home or their condition worsens.

The new advice came as confirmed cases in Wales rose to 124 on Monday.

However, the true number of cases is likely to be higher.

"People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted novel coronavirus (Covid-19)," said Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the outbreak response at PHW.

"Instead, anyone who has a high temperature or a new continuous cough should stay at home for seven days.

"They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days."

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The public has been urged to play a "crucial role in containing the spread" of the virus by health experts.

Chris Williams said transmission could be reduced if people self-isolated if they had any symptoms and washed their hands.

The increasing number of cases has prompted some universities in Wales to announce plans to stop face-to-face teaching.

Bangor University has said all lectures have been cancelled with immediate effect, and will move online next week.

Cardiff University and Swansea University have said they will be moving to online teaching over the coming week.

University of Wales Trinity St David said it was also suspending campus classroom lessons on Monday.

Youth organisation the Urdd has announced the cancellation of all local and regional Eisteddfods, as well as the postponement of the National Eisteddfod until next year.

In addition, the Urdd will close all three of its residential centres at Llangrannog, Cardiff and Glan Llyn from Friday, 20 March.

But the Welsh Government has said closing schools at this stage "would do little to protect those most vulnerable such as grandparents who may then become childcare providers".

It follows calls from members of the Welsh Youth Parliament to close all educational institutions in Wales.

"Now is the time to ensure that all schools, colleges and universities are closed, that young people are kept from mass gathering environments such as schools," said a letter signed by 20 of the 60 members of the group - all aged between 11 and 18.

All school inspections in Wales have been suspended to allow staff "to focus fully on the wellbeing of their learners, their staff and their families," Estyn's chief inspector Meilyr Rowlands said.