Merthyr Tydfil is currently the local authority with the highest coronavirus infection rate in Wales.

According to the most recent data, released today on Wednesday, September 8, Merthyr as a whole has 782.4 cases per 100,000 people, while some parts of the borough have a rate of over 1000.

Not only does Merthyr have the country's highest case rate, but last week it was also singled out as being the area with the fastest growing covid rate, climbing by more than 180% in seven days.

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Professor Kelechi Nnoaham, director of public health for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, previously told WalesOnline the surge has mainly affected those aged between 20 and 50, with a number of them unvaccinated. He said the health board had already seen a higher increase of hospital admissions in Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil compared to the area's other two district general hospitals.

According to the most recent data, the number of people currently in hospital with covid in the health board has more than doubled from August 7 to September 7.

Speaking this week, Professor Nnoaham described the situation in Merthyr Tydfil as "concerning" and added no specific event or gathering is being linked to the surge.

He said: “The current rise in Covid cases in Merthyr Tydfil, which comes as the infection rate in Wales continues to climb, is concerning. The rise is predominantly linked to an increase in community infections rather than any single event, although we have recently seen a number of cases linked to large social gatherings such as music festivals."

With it known that some infected people in the area have not been vaccinated, Mr Nnoaham said it was especially important right now for those aged 16 and over to get their jabs in order to prevent the spread, serious illness and strain on the NHS.

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He said: “Vaccination remains our best weapon against the virus, and we’re encouraging everyone to take up the doses offered to them, including the first two doses and upcoming boosters. Being fully vaccinated prevents most, but not all, Covid infections. However, if you are fully vaccinated and still catch Covid, you are less likely to develop serious illness than those who catch it and are unvaccinated.

“The NHS remains under enormous pressure. Hospitals and GPs are incredibly busy dealing with considerable demand across unscheduled care services as well as working through waiting lists that have built up over the course of the pandemic, and we’re seeing more patients testing positive for Covid as community infection rates rise.

“In order to ease the pressure and stop the spread of the virus, it’s important that people continue to practise protective behaviours as much as possible. That means wearing a mask indoors or in crowded places, social distancing where possible, keeping rooms well-ventilated and washing your hands regularly."

Infection rates per 100,000 by area in Merthyr Tydfil

This is over a seven-day rolling period from August 28 to September 3 rounded to the nearest whole number.

The figures are the most recently available as of Wednesday afternoon, September 8.

Gurnos, Trefechan and Pontsticill - 1,020

Pentre-bach and Mountain Hare - 1,028

Dowlais - 874

Cefn-coed-y-cymer, Heolgerrig and Park - 920

Gelli-deg and Town - 640

Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw and Bedlinog - 458

Treharris and Trelewis - 458

How many people with coronavirus are in hospital in the health board?

On September 7 there were 1,316 general and acute beds occupied across Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. Of these, 84 were taken up by a Covid case. This is the most recent data

In comparison on August 7 there were 1,260 general and acute beds occupied across the health board. Of these, 32 were taken up by a Covid-19 case.

Out of 23 invasive ventilated beds occupied across the board on September 7, 11 were occupied by a Covid-19 case. Similarly on August 7 out of 22 invasive ventilated beds occupied across the board, six were occupied by a Covid-19 case.

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