Overall, accumulating evidence is consistent with increased transmission occurring amongst school children when schools are open, particularly in children of secondary school age (high confidence): multiple data sources show a reduction in transmission in children following schools closing for ha

Schools will be closed to learners on Monday and Tuesday, January 4-5, allowing for a period of forward planning and assessment of staffing levels. 

The festive period has been extremely challenging for our staff. Numbers of COVID-19 patients needing hospital treatment have risen substantially in the past few weeks and in recent days we have seen those numbers reach their highest for many months.

Generous Tesco shoppers across the UK have been thanked after donating more than 1.3 million meals to feed people in their communities amid this year’s Covid-19 pandemic, with customers in South Wales donating over 50,000 (56,097) meals.

We know that this is a difficult time and that Christmas and the festive break can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation.

I had this sent to me from Facebook  “No access to the Ynys from the Canal path Cwmbach blocked off due to flooding. Canal not looking too good either.”

If you have any health concerns over the Christmas period, your local healthcare team are here to help you.  Patients are urged to think carefully about which service is right for their needs and access the healthcare appropriate for them.

Pharmacies

We appreciate current circumstances are very challenging for the haulage sector.  We are working to ensure that the appropriate arrangements are in place for hauliers after the Transition Period ends.  We said we would keep you updated on changes that affect you. 

Earlier this year, communities in the Rhondda were turned upside down with the arrival of storms and heavy rainfall.

Hundreds of people had to flee their homes when water began gushing into their homes, and washing their cars down the street during the middle of the night.

The Council will begin a significant drainage improvement scheme on the A4059 between Penywaun and Trecynon from January 4 – requiring temporary traffic lights on this section of road to safely carry out the work. 

A public service joint statement:

Coronavirus is spreading faster and wider in Wales than at any other point in this pandemic.

Our public services are under intense pressure as they work around the clock to care for and
keep people safe.

A Welsh council has won its appeal over whether a decision in relation to a major schools reorganisation programme was taken lawfully.

Greater Pontypridd 21st Century Schools Reorganisation Programme - Judicial Revi

We are inviting you to tell us about pharmacy services in your area. This is to help us plan for services for our patients now and in the future to make sure they meet your needs, using a process called a ‘Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment’.

The Parish of Aberdare have distributed over 90 bags of Christmas joy to people in the community who are lonely or isolated.

Melanie Stephenson-Gray, 32, a sprinter, who represented Wales and was a torch bearer at the 2012 Olympic Games has been appointed as a Trustee to the Board of Diabetes UK.

Garry Rees, from Tredegar, is supporting the Stroke Association’s ‘Hope After Stroke’ Christmas appeal, after a stroke last December resulted in him spending Christmas in hospital.

Below is a Councillors review of the council's response to Storm Dennis weather or not all councillors were asked to respond is something I do not know the text was taken from a link posted on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Website I have highlighted a few points.

To our CTM communities,

Firstly, we would like to thank you for the support and the sacrifices you have made in what has been an incredibly tough year for us all. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of our lives and had devastating and tragic consequences for many families in CTM.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council propose to make various Orders under Sections 1, 2, 4, 81, 82, 83 and 84 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (“the Act”) and all other enabling powers, the effect of which will be to:

Cabinet Members will receive a progress report on the future A4119 dualling scheme – including an important update on proposals for a new Active Travel bridge at Coed Ely roundabout.

Joint Statement from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Councils

The Senedd debated the petition signed – “An independent inquiry into the 2020 flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf so that lessons are learned.”

Royal Glamorgan Hospital
Linked COVID-19 cases: 348
Deaths in linked COVID-19 cases: 95
*numbers correct as of 14/12/2020

Prince Charles Hospital
Linked COVID-19 cases: 189
Deaths in linked COVID-19 cases: 50
*numbers correct as of 14/12/2020

Reacting to the announcement that  “serial Covid-19 testing” using lateral flow tests will be introduced in schools and colleges from January, the Shadow Minister for Education – Suzy Davies MS – said:

The Court of Appeal is thought to have heard oral submissions in Welsh for the first time during an appeal this month over a county council’s plans for school reorganisation.

The submissions were made by Owain Rhys James of Civitas Law on behalf of the Welsh Language Commissioner.

E: GEOFFREY JONES (PENREITHYN) SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Work is underway on the final phase of the redevelopment of Dewi Sant Health Park in Pontypridd.

This year marked the start of the journey towards the next examination of the government’s progress in implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Application No: 20/1337/10

Proposal: Erection of 3 detached dwellings. Retention of existing dwelling and associated works (re-submission of planning application 20/0409/10).

Location: BIRCHWOOD, LLWYDCOED ROAD, LLWYDCOED, ABERDARE, CF44 0UL

Royal Glamorgan Hospital
Linked COVID-19 cases: 299
Deaths in linked COVID-19 cases: 85
*numbers correct as of 6/12/2020

Good afternoon,

We’ve been in touch in the past about publications and information on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). We wanted to remind you that the extended version of the scheme now has monthly claim deadlines, which may be of interest to your readers/viewers/listeners.

The Covid-19 global pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to our communities in Wales. Many people feel isolated, overwhelmed and afraid of what the uncertain future may hold.

Cabinet has agreed to an amended option for future residential care provision – which will see nine Council-run care homes retained and modernised, including Garth Olwg (Church Village) and Ystradfechan (Treorchy). 

Schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf will only be open to high priority vulnerable learners and staff on December 17 and 18. All other learners will be provided with digital or distance learning opportunities and wellbeing support in the home setting on December 17 and 18.

A new Clinical Research Centre is due to open at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant in January 2021, which will enhance the current research facilities at the health board.

A management buy-out (MBO) proposal has been submitted to the administrators of fashion retailer Peacocks and if successful has the potential to prevent UK-wide store closures and save 4,908 people from redundancy.

The Council has made important progress in the process to repair Penydarren Tramroad Bridge in Trecynon – and has submitted designs of a scheme to restore the Scheduled Monument for Cadw’s review.

A new national resource has been launched in Wales on the WeCare.Wales website. The resource helps jobseekers improve their employability as well as helping employers identify people most suited to working in social care roles.

We are delighted to report that Mr David Church (Teacher of Religious Studies) has won the Pupil (or Pupils’) Award for Best Teacher at this year’s Professional Teaching Awards Cymru.

Royal Glamorgan Hospital

Linked COVID-19 cases – 265

Deaths in linked COVID-19 cases – 74

*numbers correct as of 30/11/2020

Prince Charles Hospital

Linked COVID-19 cases- 164

Deaths in linked COVID-19 cases – 46