Covid: Wales possibly coming to peak says minister

There are "very positive signs" that Wales is "coming to the peak" and "possibly turning the corner" on the coronavirus wave, a minister has said.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan spoke ahead of Friday's announcement of the latest review of Covid restrictions.

"It would be a huge, huge relief" if Wales was reaching that stage, she said.

Wales' rules were last tightened on 26 December, meaning no more than 50 people can attend a sporting event.

The rules have forced many teams to play behind closed doors.

Social distancing restrictions are also in place in businesses and a rule of six applies in hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants.

Welsh Tory Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies called for the rule of six and sport restrictions to be scrapped.

He said it was "time to move forward as we learn to live with the virus".

Plaid also called for sport restrictions to be lifted if Wales has reached a peak.

In Scotland restrictions on large outdoor events, including football matches and concerts, will be lifted from next Monday.

Giving evidence to the Senedd Health and Social Care Committee on Thursday, Ms Morgan said: "I know that in London about 10% of the population are ill with Covid and in Wales it's about 6%.

"So that's a significant difference and, obviously, we're hoping that we're coming to the peak now.

"And if we arrive at a peak of 6% and they're at 10% then, actually, there is real cause to celebrate, that is a snapshot that you can look at.

"We are clearly keeping a very close eye on the data at the moment but there are some very positive signs, I'm pleased to say, in terms of us possibly turning the corner, which would be a huge, huge relief."

Her comments contrast with those of First Minister Mark Drakeford two days ago, when he said modelling suggested rates getting worse over the next week.

The Wales case rate has fallen to the lowest level since 27 December - 1,492.4 per 100,000 people over seven days.

While that includes a change in policy where people who are not showing symptoms but test positive on lateral flow devices no longer need PCR tests, cases were falling three days before that happened.

The number of people with Covid in critical care beds stands at 20% of the number at this point last year.

On 12 January 2021 there were 150 patients with the virus in critical care. On Wednesday that figure stood at 30.

There is a daily average of 850 patients with confirmed Covid in hospital beds - a 36% rise on the week.

But that is 54% of the figure seen at this point in 2021.

Neath Port Talbot has the highest case rate of Welsh counties, with 1,893 cases per 100,000, while the positivity rate has fallen to 44.6% - the lowest since 27 December 2021, with Anglesey having the highest rate at 48.3%.

All age groups are showing a decline in cases, especially those younger age groups which were driving the spike over the Christmas period.

All but four local council areas in Wales also showing a drop in case rates among the under 25s.

Andrew RT Davies urged Labour ministers to "scrap their economically cruel and clinically unnecessary rules on businesses so they can recover from the restrictions they imposed on Wales in recent weeks, whilst increasing compensation for those firms hit".

"The nonsensical and bizarre rules on watching and participating in sports must be scrapped, given the negative effects on physical and mental health, let alone their perverse consequences, which is evident in pushing people indoors to watch games instead."

Plaid Cymru's spokesman for health and care, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said: "Being proportionate and appearing to be fair has to be an essential part of regulation - for that reason, especially if we have reached the peak in cases, the limit on outdoor sporting events must now be lifted.

"The benefits of taking part in events such as Parkruns and watching sports outside in the fresh air surely outweighs the risks?"

Meanwhile, Welsh ministers said they have no plans to cut the self-isolation period for people who test positive for Covid-19, something Welsh Conservatives are also calling for.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: "We will be guided by the evidence and look forward to seeing the clinical evidence that has informed this decision."

From Monday, people in England will be able to leave isolation after negative lateral flow tests on days five and six.