1. Statement by the First Minister: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:07 pm on 5 August 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 2:07, 5 August 2020

First Minister, thank you for all you're doing in the current crisis, and in particular the time that you have to spend at your desk in the office making key decisions for the benefit of Wales. In your statement, you touch on the point about Wrexham Maelor, and the outbreak in Wrexham Maelor, and that has been a focus of considerable energy. Why hasn't the Government assisted the health board and Public Health Wales in making it mandatory for people to wear face masks in settings such as hospitals and care homes, where the evidence clearly shows that that will be of assistance? Public Health Wales and the health board have made that request, but the Government does not seem to have backed that request with firm action. Can you explain why is that the case, please?

And, secondly, in your statement, you touch on testing, and whilst it's pleasing to see that testing results in some areas have been positive—you talk about talking about a 95 per cent return rate in 24 hours, but, regrettably, we know nationally that some of the figures have been as low as a 26, 27 per cent return rate in 24 hours. That clearly is not acceptable and will not achieve an acceptable return rate in the testing regime. What actions are the Government doing to nationally increase the return rates closer to the 90 per cent so that we have an effective testing regime here in Wales?