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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Jillian MacMath

Three things you need to know from Thursday's Welsh Government coronavirus briefing (June 11, 2020)

The chief executive of NHS Wales, Dr Andrew Goodall, led the Welsh Government briefing on the coronavirus outbreak in Wales on Thursday (June 11).

Here is a summary of what he had to say:

  • Wales has its lowest number of coronavirus patients in critical care since March 25

  • There are still 885 Covid-related patients in hospital beds in Wales, the equivalent of three large hospitals full of people

  • Concern remains for a second peak of the virus

  • Field hospitals in Wales remain as part of country's "contingency" plan

Coronavirus-related critical care patients drop to lowest number since March 25

Speaking at the Welsh Government coronavirus briefing, Dr Goodall said there are currently 32 people being treated in critical care in Wales, the lowest number since March 25.

He added that around 60% of critical care beds are empty and available, and the majority of people in critical care at present do not have the virus.

Additionally, around 7,000 people in Wales have been discharged after Covid-19-related admissions, he said.

Despite the good news, he said 885 coronavirus-related patients remain in hospital beds in Wales.

While this is lower than last week, it still remains the equivalent of three large hospitals full of people.

More dental services to become available next month

Dr Goodall said more dental services will become available from next month after routine activity was halted in March because of the high risk.

But the restoration of services needs to be gradual, he said.

This will take place in three phases, with the first beginning on July 1.

At this stage, dentists will be able to offer more treatments, with a wide range of care available to those who urgently need it, he said.

Groups of people who have experienced problems during lockdown will be seen first, and then appointments will progress based on urgency.

Routine check-ups won't be made available until the final phase.

Field hospitals remain part of 'contingency' plan in Wales

Asked about plans for the 19 field hospitals which have been built in Wales, Dr Goodall said they are being used as a "contingency" in case of a second peak of the virus.

But he said the Welsh Government was working to decide "what capacity we need to retain".

"I think that just having a field hospital staffed across Wales, when they're not required wouldn't make sense," he said.

But Dr Goodall said the hospitals were "an investment for preparation", adding that "obviously we will want to make sure that we have some further opportunity to use those going forward".

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