Data from the Office for National Statistics recently published showed that the mortality rate for Wales was 2.78 per cent higher than the average mortality rate between 2015 and 2019 in the first six months of this year. It's important to acknowledge that that was lower than both England and Scotland, but Wales, nevertheless, was ranked the fifth-highest country for excess deaths in Europe over that period. Why does the First Minister believe we fared badly compared to other European nations?

On 28 March, my colleague Rhun ap Iorwerth wrote to the health Minister, urging the Welsh Government to adopt an earlier intervention strategy for individuals displaying COVID symptoms, similar to that adopted in some European countries. In response, the Minister recognised the emerging evidence that early intervention was proving effective in treating patients.

Why, therefore, did it take until 16 June, more than two months later, for the clinical advice to change, and why has it taken until yesterday, more than four months since the Minister acknowledged the evidence, for a statement to be made confirming that resources will finally be made available to help GPs to make more use of pulse oximetry, as we have consistently urged? Isn't it the case, First Minister, that hundreds of lives could have been saved, potentially, if this had happened sooner?