CALLS have been made for greater transparency over a recent spike in coronavirus cases in Wrexham as more positive tests have been confirmed.

There are growing concerns after Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board revealed there are currently between 60 and 70 patients with COVID-19 at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

A total of 12 new cases were confirmed in the county borough by Public Health Wales (PHW) today (Monday, 27 July), which takes the weekly amount up to 61.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Flintshire has also seen a smaller rise in the number of residents contracting the virus, up by eight cases daily with 26 testing positive in the last week.

The chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said last week that the increase could be partly be attributed to infections acquired by patients whilst staying in Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

It led to a warning from a senior director for people to wear masks at all times in the hospital, whilst measures are being taken to prevent the virus from spreading.

There have also been reports from members of the public of an alleged outbreak at Deeside Community Hospital, leading to ward closures.

However, the region’s health board has refused to confirm how many wards in Wrexham and Deeside are affected or how many inpatients currently have Covid-19.

It has led to calls for more information to be given to local residents to ease people’s worries over the situation.

Councillor Carrie Harper, Plaid Cymru’s Wrexham spokesperson, said: “The persistent numbers of new cases in Wrexham, although relatively low, is a concern.

“I’m aware of patients in Wrexham Maelor hospital who have acquired Covid-19 on at least one ward and I’m sure staff and patients would like assurances from Public Health Wales that thorough testing and screening is in place to prevent any wider outbreak.

“While we all understand the need to avoid speculation, where there is an information vacuum there will always be rumours flying about.

“The need for clear communication about the facts has never been more important and PHW needs to provide that clarity now to allay fears in the community.”

Wrexham was recently placed second on a list of the ten local authority areas with the highest estimates of symptomatic coronavirus in the last week.

The COVID Symptom Study Watch List is compiled by the health science company ZOE, which has produced a symptom tracking app to help predict hotspots, along with King’s College London.

 On some days in the last weeks, the number of confirmed coronavirus in the county has accounted for around half of the total for the whole of Wales.

The county previously experienced a localised outbreak of the virus, with more than 300 workers testing positive at the Rowan Foods factory on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

Although PHW said the incident was still active, only a handful of cases associated with the ready meal manufacturing plant have been recorded recently.

Gill Harris, Betsi Cadwaladr’s executive director of nursing and midwifery, acknowledged the local increase was partly down to more testing being carried out at hospital sites.

But she would not be drawn on where the cases were concentrated.

She said: “We are actively testing staff and patients across our hospital sites, this includes all emergency admissions and those due to come in for planned surgery before they are admitted to hospital. Therefore, we expect to find more cases of COVID-19.

“The number of cases will fluctuate on a daily or hourly basis; therefore we will not be able to provide accurate details of the number of cases other than the information provided by Public Health Wales.

“Weekly numbers of cases with onset in hospital are provided by health board on the Public Health Wales COVID-19 surveillance dashboard.”

The executive director also reiterated calls for hospital visitors to take steps to protect themselves and others.

She added: “We ask that people continue to avoid coming into our hospitals with any COVID-19 symptoms and avoid visiting the Wrexham Maelor Hospital emergency department unless it is necessary.

“We are actively encouraging patients, the public and staff to wear face coverings or masks in public areas in our hospitals.

“We would like to appeal to the public for their support as we all have a role to play in preventing the spread of infection.

“We ask that our communities continue to maintain good hand hygiene and observe social distancing guidance.”

PHW has been asked to comment.