Llywydd, if our modelling is correct—and it has been so far—we will be facing a peak in COVID-19 hospital admissions and cases just as the NHS winter period starts. This will put further pressure on our health and care system, a system that, as you know, is already stretched. In some parts of the UK, elective surgery has already been postponed to enable the NHS trusts to cope with pandemic pressures and with the other emergency pressures that we face.

High levels of COVID infection potentially increase the number of people who will suffer from long COVID. We don't know exactly how many people have long COVID and the evidence base is still emerging. High levels of infection also increase the risk of new variants emerging. We all remember the pain and suffering caused by the alpha, or Kent, variant during the winter, and we're now dealing with the delta variant.

As we look further ahead to the winter, there are also threats from other respiratory infections, such as RSV and seasonal flu. If we are to be successful in controlling both coronavirus and other respiratory infections this autumn and winter, we must continue to focus on improving the take-up of COVID vaccination, especially amongst those groups and communities where take-up of the vaccine is relatively low.

Currently, there are around 373,000 unvaccinated people in Wales who could have had the vaccine, and the majority of those are under 50 years of age. We're particularly worried about the low take-up of the vaccine amongst pregnant women. Unfortunately, over the past three weeks, there's been an increase in COVID-related hospital admissions amongst unvaccinated pregnant women. Just as important, we will be making sure everyone who is eligible receives the booster jab. We'll also be working hard to encourage people to receive the flu jab, to build on last year's take-up numbers—the record numbers last year.

Finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, I want to end this statement by reminding everyone about the things that we can all do to protect ourselves and our loved ones. If you're feeling unwell and you have symptoms of COVID, you must stay at home and have a PCR test. If the test is positive, you must self-isolate. This will help to prevent the spread of this awful virus. Please think about who you meet and when. If we can all cut down on the number of people we meet face to face and the time we spend with them, this will help to keep us all safe. Wherever possible, you should meet people outdoors, but if you are indoors, do open the doors and the windows. Wear a face covering in crowded and indoor public spaces, and wash your hands regularly. And, please, continue to work from home when you can. We have all worked together before, and we have changed the course of this pandemic. We can do so again now, and together we will keep Wales safe. Thank you.