Caerphilly Council leader warns of coronavirus lockdown "if necessary"

Cllr Philippa Marsden, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council

The leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council has said a local lockdown could be introduced “if necessary”.

Labour councillor Philippa Marsden, speaking on BBC Radio Wales, said: “All the measures that were in place all the way through lockdown worked.

“They assisted us in dampening down the disease.

“What we need to understand is that, yes, we may need to close those social areas down because we cannot afford for the rise to continue in the vein that it is.”

Asked whether a local lockdown could be put in place Cllr Marsden replied “if necessary”.

“Local authorities cannot act alone,” Ms Marsden said.

“It’s about us doing this together through Public Health Wales, the health board and, ultimately, Welsh Government.”

Cllr Marsden also said pubs and bars could close if social distancing rules were not followed.

A lack of social distancing by the public has been blamed for the recent spike in cases across Caerphilly County Borough. Caerphilly Observer understands there have been clusters of cases in Caerphilly town, Bargoed, Blackwood and Bedwas.

So great is the concern from health officials, visits to care homes across the county borough have been stopped and a mobile testing centre has been set up in the car park of Caerphilly Leisure Centre.

Further coronavirus cases reported in Bedwas

A primary school, a nursery and a pub have all reported having cases of coronavirus on their premises.

Bedwas Infants School, Playworks Early Days Nursery and the Fisherman’s Rest have all posted updates on social media.

It follows confirmation that 21 pupils at St Gwladys Primary School, in Bargoed, have had to self-isolate because a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.

Authorities are calling on the public to maintain social distancing and to sanitise their hands regularly.

Public Health Wales yesterday (Sunday, September 6) reported a further 25 new cases it is aware of from tests carried out since September 1. This figure does not include any results from the walk-in testing centre at Caerphilly Leisure Centre.

CCBC