Rate of new Covid cases in Powys under-25s highest in Wales

Amid concerns over the rate at which young people contracting the virus in the current third wave, it was revealed at a meeting of Powys County Council today (July 15) that younger people in Powys are getting infected at a staggering rate.

Council chief executive Dr Caroline Turner urged younger people to get vaccinated as the figures for positive case rocket upwards in the county.

“Figures released today by Public Health Wales show there have been 235 cases in Powys over the last seven days, this is a rate of 177.4 per 100,000 of the population," she said.

“We are now above the Welsh average and the rate is higher than many urban areas in South Wales.

“The figures are particularly high in the north of the county, in the Newtown area.

“Powys is now seeing the sharpest increase in Wales of infections in young people under the age of 25.

Dr Caroline Turner

“This is a staggering rate of 349.2 out of every 100,000 per population for young people under the age of 25.

“Of the people who tested positive in Powys, 62 per cent were between the ages of 10 and 29."

Dr Turner said that people are able to pick up lateral flow test kits in nine libraries across Powys and at pharmacies. this list would be expanded by the end of the month.

“While vaccination rates in Powys are very good, including in young people, we must encourage our young people to take up the offer of vaccinations and ensure that they receive their second one as soon as it’s offered," Dr Turner continued.

“We know that some young people can become ill if they catch Covid and having their first vaccination can certainly the second one does offer a high level of protection against serious illness.”

Council leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, said that the spike in new cases showed the importance of abiding by the national guidance of washing hands, wearing face masks and social distancing.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the surge of cases in Powys the announcement of the easing of restrictions in Wales was welcomed, by Cllr Harris.

Cllr Harris said: “I was pleased on a number of fronts yesterday (Wednesday, July 14) that the announcement by the first minister lifted some of the Covid restrictions in Wales and this will now allow some of our events to take place and for more businesses to open.

“I do hope that everything goes to plan and that further restrictions will be lifted in a couple of weeks’ times if circumstances, cases, hospitalisations and deaths allow.”