Health chiefs have warned that West Wales is in ‘the eye of the storm’ as the region continues to fight Covid-19.

Organisations at the frontline of the West Wales response to Covid-19 have today warned that our communities are facing record cases of the disease.

The cases in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area are now at an average over seven days of 316.3 per 100,000 population, and in Carmarthenshire, this is as high as 448.2.

This compares, for example, to 242 cases per 100,000 population in London, and 199 per 100,000 in Birmingham during the same period.

This is putting strain on our community and hospital NHS services, the health board says, with more than 150 people in local acute hospitals with Covid-19, which is more than the peak during the first phase.

This is creating staff problems, as a significant number, around 930, health board staff are absent, either sick or isolating.

Clinical professionals and support staff in work are under significant pressure as they deal with both Covid and non-Covid patients.

Leaders from Hywel Dda University Health Board and county councils in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire say they are facing an emergency situation and they need the community to make even more sacrifices in the interests of keeping our communities safe.

Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Maria Battle (pictured inset, top) said: “The darkest hour is before the dawn and while hope is on the horizon in the form of the vaccine, this feels like our hardest hour yet.

“Our NHS and other care staff and critical workers have put themselves in harm’s way during the course of their work. While we know it is hard after this time and as we approach a special time of year, the risk we all face could be greatly reduced by each of us taking action.”

Leader of Ceredigion County Council, Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn (pictured inset, bottom) added: “This year’s festive celebrations will be different.

“We must sacrifice seeing loved ones so that we can meet up another time when it’s safe to do so.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure we follow the guidelines so limit the amount of people you see to play your part. This will keep our families and friends safe and protect our community and hospital NHS services.”