6. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on COVID-19

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:18 pm on 14 December 2021.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 5:18, 14 December 2021

Thanks very much, Gareth. I've got to tell you that overreaction is something that, obviously, we're very aware of. We know that the situation is not all about health; it's about economic consequences, social consequences, mental health consequences; we have to balance all of these things out against the potential of our NHS being overwhelmed. So, all of these things are things that we put into the mix before we think about introducing any new protections.

In terms of the guidance being updated for care homes, we have been working with the sector, having conversations with the sector—so, we don't impose on them; we talk to them about what's possible, what's practical and what will work. So, we're working with the sector. And I think we're very aware that things will change very quickly. So, you talked about not overreacting. We have 30 cases in Wales. Things are going to change very quickly and we will probably have to just adapt how we monitor our guidance in relation to care homes.

On the PPE side of things, we have had more work done in relation to FFP3 masks and, again, our clinicians are looking at this, seeing if this is something that needs to be introduced. I think you've got to be very aware that it's a big ask to ask people to wear FFP3 masks all day long; it's something that they, sometimes, are reluctant to do as well. So, we just need to make sure that we land this in the right place; those conversations are still ongoing.

In relation to boosters for residents and care home workers—care home residents, we are up to about 85 per cent already. So, I think that's a pretty high level. So, we're pleased with that, but we've still got a little bit of a way to go to get to the 97 per cent who've received the complete primary course. Some of that, it's not because they have not been offered it; it's because there are different circumstances and reasons why that should happen. Care home workers—we're up to 67 per cent of care home workers who've had the booster dose. So, clearly, we're anxious to see if we can get that up higher. Our evidence suggests that it wasn't the release of people from hospital that was carrying infections into care homes, it was actually—. Some of it was because we had a situation where care home workers were going from care home to care home and, when it's in the community, it's really, really hard to keep it out of anywhere else. International studies have shown that. Trying to build a wall around these places is almost impossible. So, that's what the international evidence has shown us. So, we'll do all that we can, and that's why there is a need to make sure that we test and test and test again, when it comes to care homes.