Public Health Wales Data now shows number of COVID-19 related deaths in North Wales now stands at 88

Today’s Public Health Wales update has revealed for the first time the number of health board area reported deaths in North Wales attributed to the coronavirus.

Sadly there were a further 26 deaths reported today by Public Health Wales bringing the total deaths in Wales to 751 people.

Up until today the number of deaths in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area that covers North Wales was not declared, with a note stating that the figures were ‘suppressed if the number of deaths is 5 or lower’, in order to prevent individual deaths from being identifiable.

Today a figure has been released, with Public Health Wales explaining the huge jump, “The new figure for total deaths reported today includes 84 retrospective deaths which occurred between 20.03.2020 and 22.04.2020 in one health board. The sudden increase in numbers is due to a delay in the reporting process.”

In a statement Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “Details of the number of deaths in North Wales were reported in public for the first time today. Due to issues identified in our reporting system, today’s update includes an accumulation of cases where a patient has died while also testing positive for COVID-19.

The figures do not include individuals who may have died from COVID-19 but who were not confirmed by laboratory testing. The true number of COVID-19 deaths will be higher.”

Commenting on the newly revealed figures, Shadow Minister for North Wales – Mark Isherwood AM – said:

 “Call them ‘retrospective’ or a ‘delay in reporting’ if you wish, but essentially, these are 84 deaths that went unreported.”

 Mr Isherwood said he noted that the health board has stated that “… This is a result of issues identified in our reporting system that meant today’s update includes an accumulation of cases where a patient has died while also testing positive for COVID-19” adding:

 “I am staggered as to how they could have been missed, and I am equally concerned as to how this may have skewed the overall figures and the approach to combatting Coronavirus.

 “It smacks of incompetence of the highest level, and will create further anxiety for people who have experienced the problems of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – which has been in special measures for nearly five years – as we go through this pandemic.”