Music venue issues warning after four people who attended performance test positive for Covid-19

A music venue has issued a warning after a number of people who attended a performance tested positive for Covid-19.

Le Pub, on High Street in Newport, said four people who attended an Echobelly gig on Friday, October 15, had tested positive for coronavirus so far.

In a statement on social media the venue, which has a total capacity of 200, said "a few people" who watched the British rock legends had since reported positive Covid tests. Venue manager Sam Dabb said four people who were at the gig had tested positive so far.

The venue has asked anyone who attended the gig to do a lateral flow test even if they had no symptoms, and to book a PCR test if they had any symptoms of the virus.

Read more: Hospitals urge people to consider looking after sick relatives themselves as they face 'unprecedented' demand

"We have had a few people that attended the Echobelly show last Friday report positive Covid tests to us," Le Pub said on Twitter. "If you attended and have no symptoms please do a lateral flow to protect yourselves and others. If you have any symptoms please isolate and book in for a PCR.

"We always do our best to keep everyone safe and this is the first time we have had a positive case linked to the venue. We are so sorry that we didn’t manage to keep it out of the venue this time and we will keep doing our best going forward."

Ms Dabb said a decision was made to issue the message as they wanted anyone who knew people who attended the gig to be aware they may have been in contact with others who had the virus.

It comes after it was revealed that Wales currently has the highest rate of infection in the UK. The latest seven-day infection rate across Wales based on the cases for every 100,000 people (seven days up to October 16) now stands at 651.9 – a sharp rise from the 617 reported on Wednesday.

In comparison, Scotland's seven-day infection rate is 316.5, England's 447.9 and Northern Ireland's is 473.3. The rate of people being taken into hospital with Covid also appears to be starting to rise.

A whole secondary school year group at Caerleon Comprehensive have also been asked to stay home due to staff sickness and a "national shortage" of supply teachers on Thursday.

Despite acknowledging "worrying" numbers, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said the Welsh Government is not yet looking at reintroducing Covid restrictions. Read more here.

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