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Wales Online
Wales Online
Health
Mark Smith

Seventeen more people die in Wales after contracting coronavirus

The number of people who have died after contracting coronavirus in Wales has increased by 17, it has been announced.

Public Health Wales (PHW) confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll since the outbreak began has now reached 1,371.

New figures show the number of positive Covid-19 cases has increased by 82 to reach an overall total of 14,203 in Wales.

Many local authorities reported no new cases, including Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea, while Denbighshire reported the most new cases with 15.

While testing capacity stands at more than 9,000 in Wales, just 2,400 tests were carried out on Tuesday.

The latest figures were announced following a press conference where Wales' education minister Kirsty Williams said all schools in Wales will re-open on June 29.

She said the term will be extended by one week to end on July 27 for the summer holidays.

In the next academic year, which will begin as normal in September, Ms Williams said the intention is for the autumn half-term break to be expanded from one to two weeks.

She added that year groups will be split into "cohorts" with staggered starts, lessons and breaks. It is expected this will mean, at most, a third of pupils are present in school at any one time, though schools may need time to reach this level of operation.

There will also be much smaller classes, including online lessons and "classroom experiences" which will get children and teachers ready for a "similar experience" in September.

Ms Williams reiterated that parents who decide not to send their children to school will not be fined.

Next week, the Welsh Government will publish guidance to support schools, as well as further and higher education institutions. This will include information on managing their facilities and logistical arrangements, including buildings, resources, cleaning and transport.

Meanwhile, it was also announced that further education colleges need to ensure appropriate measures are being taken to re-open for face-to-face learning from June 15.

They will prioritise those students requiring licence to practice assessments and vulnerable learners.

Ms Williams confirmed guidance for childcare providers will also be published in the next week, supporting them to increase the numbers of children in attendance alongside schools.

She said: "My announcement today gives schools three and a half weeks to continue preparing for the next phase.

"We will use the last weeks of the summer term to make sure pupils, staff and parents are prepared – mentally, emotionally and practically – for the new normal in September.

"June 29 means there will have been one full month of test, trace and protect, which will continue to expand. I can also announce that teachers will be a priority group in our new antibody testing programme. As we continue to keep Wales safe, this approach will be critical."

She said the "evolving science" suggests warm weather and sunlight offers the best opportunity to ensure more time in school.

"Waiting until September would mean almost half a year without schooling," she added.

"That would be to the detriment to the wellbeing, learning progress and mental health of our young people.

"This is and has been a worrying period for us all. I know that many will feel apprehensive. We have not rushed this work and this decision.

"The three-and-a-half week period before the next phase also gives us time to keep watch on developments elsewhere and provides further check-points to review evidence and the roll-out of testing."

She concluded: "I am also convinced that it is only by returning to their own school that we will see increased attendance from our more vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

"Working together we will secure equity and excellence for pupils as they check in, catch up, and prepare for summer and September."

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