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Wales Online
6 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Covid strain spreads widely across Wales with distinctive new symptom
Covid strain spreads widely across Wales with distinctive new symptom The Stratus strain has become known for its one unique symptom A new Covid strain with one distinctive characteristic has become the dominant diagnosed variant in Wales. Public Health Wales (PHW) recently urged all eligible people to continue to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations after data showed two new variants sweeping through the nation. One of these was the XFG variant, known as the Stratus strain, which now accounts for more than half of all Covid cases in the country. The Stratus strain is known for its unique symptom of giving people a hoarse voice. The earliest XFG sample was collected on January 27 but data shows the strain did not arrive in Wales until May when cases started doubling. Stratus has two variants, XFG and XFG.3, with XFG.3 accounting for a larger proportion than any other individual variant, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). While there is no evidence that the new strain causes more severe symptoms experts have also said that it can infect cells more efficiently and can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation, and nausea. The XFG and XFG.3 variants currently account for around 30% of Covid-19 cases in England, according data to released by the UKHSA, and 50% of all cases in Wales, according to the most recent data made available by PHW. Article continues below In Wales the most recent data, dated June 23, showed 25% of cases were the LF.7 variant, 50% were the XFG variant, and 25% were the NY.9 variant. When the two variants first landed in Wales healthcare professionals said their ability to multiply in the way they did acted as a stark reminder that the virus has not gone away. Dr Christopher Williams, consultant epidemiologist for PHW, then urged that those considered vulnerable will continue to be seriously affected by these variants if necessary precautions are not taken. However the true extent of the spread of variants can often be hard to measure due to a significant reduction in Covid-19 testing compared to the peak of the global pandemic, which is now more than five years ago. PHW has confirmed that the actual cases identified will be far from accurate as the majority of testing done today is in hospital settings. A spokesman for PHW said: "As PCR testing data for Covid-19 is mainly done in hospital settings the number of cases identified is likely to be an underestimate of the true picture. Article continues below "However Public Health Wales receives intelligence from across the health system, including from primary care, about levels of Covid-19 as well as other communicable diseases. Currently we are not seeing large numbers of cases of Covid-19 in Wales. "There is no evidence to suggest that XFG is any more or less severe than other previous variants or that vaccines will be any less effective against this variant.'
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Public health chiefs issue fresh statement over concert cancelled by 'flu outbreak'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Health chiefs have released a fresh statement, after a concert was cancelled at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, on Wednesday evening. Public Health Wales has insisted it did not advise or ask the festival to cancel the concert. It comes after a number of children were taken to hospital with "flu-like symptoms" and an "extraordinary medical incident was declared by the Welsh Ambulance Service. Sir Karl Jenkins was scheduled to take centre stage and conduct One World, live. It was billed as a concert that "brings together voices from around the globe to celebrate peace, harmony, and the universal language of music." It is the first time in the Eisteddfod's history it has had to cancel an event in this way. Following the outbreak, yesterday (Thursday)Dr Giri Shankar, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales, said they were assessed in hospital and were due to be discharged. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox "Tests carried out on these children have indicated the presence of common respiratory viruses, including flu. They are being treated appropriately and are recovering. The risk to the public remains low'. In a further update today (Friday) a PHW spokesperson said: "Public Health Wales was contacted by the Eisteddfod organisers on the afternoon of Wednesday 9th July, and we advised them to get medical help for the children who were unwell. We would like to clarify that at no time did we ask or advise them to cancel their concert." The Llangollen International Eisteddfod issued two statements on Wednesday evening as the emergency unfolded. The first said: "Due to an extraordinary medical incident - tonight's event has been cancelled. "We want to thank our own medical teams who are managing the extraordinary medical incident. We are working with the Ambulance services and medical teams managing the incident giving them the support necessary. "The Llangollen International Eisteddfod intends to run as normal from 9am tomorrow, but this will be based on the expert medical advice we receive. We apologise for any inconvenience caused." (Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE) Another statement was released by the festival later, which gave more details and also confirming the site was clear to reopen by 9am yesterday. It said: "Further to the previous statement, we can confirm that following the declaration of an extraordinary incident by the Welsh Ambulance Service, following Public Health Wales advice - the incident related to a flu-like outbreak and related to multiple people with similar symptoms. The extraordinary incident was called by the Welsh Ambulance Service due to the number of people who presented ill at one time. "We are pleased to report our site has been cleared to reopen tomorrow at 9am, as we continue to welcome the world to Wales. We'd like to thank our staff, medical staff and our volunteers for their swift response this evening." A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We sent a number of resources to the event and worked closely with the event's own medical team to manage the incident, which we later declared as an 'extraordinary incident' due to the number of people presenting with symptoms. 'Liaising closely with Public Health Wales, we transported 11 people to Wrexham Maelor Hospital. The extraordinary incident was stood down just after 8.00pm.' The Llangollen International Eisteddfod has also been asked to comment on the latest PHW statement. Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
11-07-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Public health chiefs issue fresh statement over concert cancelled by 'flu outbreak'
Health chiefs have released a fresh statement, after a concert was cancelled at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, on Wednesday evening. Public Health Wales has insisted it did not advise or ask the festival to cancel the concert. It comes after a number of children were taken to hospital with "flu-like symptoms" and an "extraordinary medical incident was declared by the Welsh Ambulance Service. Sir Karl Jenkins was scheduled to take centre stage and conduct One World, live. It was billed as a concert that "brings together voices from around the globe to celebrate peace, harmony, and the universal language of music." It is the first time in the Eisteddfod's history it has had to cancel an event in this way. Following the outbreak, yesterday (Thursday)Dr Giri Shankar, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales, said they were assessed in hospital and were due to be discharged. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox "Tests carried out on these children have indicated the presence of common respiratory viruses, including flu. They are being treated appropriately and are recovering. The risk to the public remains low'. In a further update today (Friday) a PHW spokesperson said: "Public Health Wales was contacted by the Eisteddfod organisers on the afternoon of Wednesday 9 th July, and we advised them to get medical help for the children who were unwell. We would like to clarify that at no time did we ask or advise them to cancel their concert." The Llangollen International Eisteddfod issued two statements on Wednesday evening as the emergency unfolded. The first said: "Due to an extraordinary medical incident - tonight's event has been cancelled. "We want to thank our own medical teams who are managing the extraordinary medical incident. We are working with the Ambulance services and medical teams managing the incident giving them the support necessary. "The Llangollen International Eisteddfod intends to run as normal from 9am tomorrow, but this will be based on the expert medical advice we receive. We apologise for any inconvenience caused." Another statement was released by the festival later, which gave more details and also confirming the site was clear to reopen by 9am yesterday. It said: "Further to the previous statement, we can confirm that following the declaration of an extraordinary incident by the Welsh Ambulance Service, following Public Health Wales advice - the incident related to a flu-like outbreak and related to multiple people with similar symptoms. The extraordinary incident was called by the Welsh Ambulance Service due to the number of people who presented ill at one time. "We are pleased to report our site has been cleared to reopen tomorrow at 9am, as we continue to welcome the world to Wales. We'd like to thank our staff, medical staff and our volunteers for their swift response this evening." A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We sent a number of resources to the event and worked closely with the event's own medical team to manage the incident, which we later declared as an 'extraordinary incident' due to the number of people presenting with symptoms. 'Liaising closely with Public Health Wales, we transported 11 people to Wrexham Maelor Hospital. The extraordinary incident was stood down just after 8.00pm.' The Llangollen International Eisteddfod has also been asked to comment on the latest PHW statement.
Leader Live
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
11 taken to hospital after Llangollen Eisteddfod incident
The 'Uniting Nations: One World concert' was cancelled last night (Wednesday, July 9) after organisers confirmed a "flu-like outbreak". Llangollen International Eisteddfod issued a subsequent update - stating that scheduled events will continue as normal today, with the grounds open from 9am. Public Health Wales (PHW) has since issued a statement on the matter - confirming that a "small group of children" fell ill and were taken to hospital. Today, Dr Giri Shankar, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales said: 'The visitors to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod who were assessed in hospital last night will be discharged this morning. "Tests carried out on these children have indicated the presence of common respiratory viruses, including flu. They are being treated appropriately and are recovering. The risk to the public remains low." Now, the Welsh Ambulance Service has confirmed that 11 people were taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital following the incident. They said: "We were called yesterday (Wednesday, July 9) at 4.49pm to reports that a number of people had been taken ill at Llangollen International Eisteddfod. 'We sent a number of resources to the event and worked closely with the event's own medical team to manage the incident, which we later declared as an 'extraordinary incident' due to the number of people presenting with symptoms." TOP STORIES TODAY They added: 'Liaising closely with Public Health Wales, we transported 11 people to Wrexham Maelor Hospital. 'The extraordinary incident was stood down just after 8pm.' Events are back up and running at the Eisteddfod today. In the pavilion, guests can expect to see the Instrumental ensemble competition get underway. With a wonderful variety of ensembles from all over the world it is sure to get you ready for a full day of competitions. READ MORE: Llangollen Eisteddfod 2025 guide: what's on, parking, transport and more The International Voice of Musical Theatre Final is also taking place. This competition is for singers aged 18 and over and the prestigious prize is intended to advance the career of an amateur musical theatre performer. Taking place between 4.30pm and 7pm, Rhys Mwyn will feature the phenomenal talents of Pedair, Mared, and Buddug – three standout names in contemporary Welsh music. Tonight from 7.30pm , BRIT Award-winning and Grammy-nominated artist KT Tunstall will be marking the 20th anniversary of her ground-breaking multi-million selling debut album 'Eye to the Telescope', with a special one-off performance with live orchestra, for the first time anywhere in the world.
North Wales Live
10-07-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Cause of kid's sickness outbreak in Llangollen confirmed by public health chiefs
The cause of an outbreak that forced a concert to be cancelled at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod last night (Wednesday), has been confirmed by health chiefs. A number of children were taken to hospital with "flu-like symptoms" and an "extraordinary medical incident was declared by the Welsh Ambulance Service. Sir Karl Jenkins was scheduled to take centre stage at the Pavilion and conduct his powerful masterpiece, One World, live. It was billed as a concert that "brings together voices from around the globe to celebrate peace, harmony, and the universal language of music." It is the first time in the Eisteddfod's history it has had to cancel an event in this way. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox In a further update today (Thursday) Dr Giri Shankar, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales, said: 'The visitors to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod who were assessed in hospital last night will be discharged this morning. "Tests carried out on these children have indicated the presence of common respiratory viruses, including flu. They are being treated appropriately and are recovering. The risk to the public remains low'. Earlier Chris Williams, Consultant in Health Protection for PHW, said: 'We are aware that a small group of children who were visiting the Eisteddfod at Llangollen were taken to hospital this evening (Wednesday). Currently, the children are being medically assessed for mild respiratory symptoms, but they are not seriously unwell.' The Llangollen International Eisteddfod issued two statements last night as the emergency unfolded. The first said: "Due to an extraordinary medical incident - tonight's event has been cancelled. "We want to thank our own medical teams who are managing the extraordinary medical incident. We are working with the Ambulance services and medical teams managing the incident giving them the support necessary. "The Llangollen International Eisteddfod intends to run as normal from 9am tomorrow, but this will be based on the expert medical advice we receive. We apologise for any inconvenience caused." Another statement was released by the festival later, which gave more details and also confirming the site was clear to reopen by 9am today. It said: "Further to the previous statement, we can confirm that following the declaration of an extraordinary incident by the Welsh Ambulance Service, following Public Health Wales advice - the incident related to a flu-like outbreak and related to multiple people with similar symptoms. The extraordinary incident was called by the Welsh Ambulance Service due to the number of people who presented ill at one time. "We are pleased to report our site has been cleared to reopen tomorrow at 9am, as we continue to welcome the world to Wales. We'd like to thank our staff, medical staff and our volunteers for their swift response this evening."
