POWYS County Council (PCC) is preparing for the Coronavirus pandemic.

At the Health and Care scrutiny committee on Monday, February 24, it was revealed that there had been a suspected case of the virus in the county earlier this month, which turned out to be a false alarm.

Cllr Ange Williams (Action for Powys – Knighton) asked: “It’s a bit of a trendy question at the moment but, do we have any plans for the Coronavirus?”

Corporate director for adult and children’s social services, Ali Bulman, answered: “Yes we do, we are working with our colleagues throughout Wales.

“We have our business continuity lead actually working with Public Health Wales on arrangements here.

“I have also joined a national group as the social services representative to advise on a social care capacity.

“Plans are at quite an early stage at the moment and we don’t have any  recorded or reported cases in Powys.

“We had one suspected case a couple of weeks ago but it was ruled out very quickly.”

The virus now officially called Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), which started in China, has spread to 27 other countries, including the UK.

Public Health Wales have issued guidance.

Dr Robin Howe, incident director outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We would encourage travellers to check the revised advice, which now includes guidance for travellers returning from Iran, Northern Italy, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

“Public Health Wales is working closely with the Welsh Government, the other UK nations, the wider NHS in Wales, and others to monitor the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China, and have implemented our planned response.

“We are well prepared, with robust infection control measures in place to protect the health of the public.

“All Welsh residents who meet the current testing criteria  are being offered testing.’’

Dr Howe stressed that members of the public can help protect themselves and others by always carrying tissues, and using them to catch coughs or sneezes.

“They should bin the tissue, and to kill the germs, wash their hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel,’’ said Dr Howe.

For anyone worried about this condition there is more advice online, visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/coronavirus/