Hywel Dda Health Board is due to meet for its usual public meeting this week with the latest update on the COVID-19 situation and the hard work of NHS staff top of the agenda.

The meeting will be held at Carmarthenshire County Council’s offices in Carmarthen on Thursday, March 26 and will be webcast.

Any members of the public wishing to attend are asked to notify the health board so that suitable provision for social distancing can be maintained, as outlined in current guidance.

A verbal report on coronavirus in the Hywel Dda area, and how it is being dealt with, is due to be given by chief executive Steve Moore and chairman Maria Battle.

Each will present a further report on health board matters later in the meeting.

In Miss Battle’s report she gives her “heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Board to all our Hywel Dda staff; nurses, doctors, therapists, housekeepers, estates, porters, managers, executives – everyone for their dedication and preparation.

“As well as continuing to care for all our patients, they are totally focused on preparing and being ready to care for everyone who has been or will be affected by coronavirus.”

She adds that for those that contract COVID-19 the symptoms will be mild but it is more serious for people with “complicated existing conditions and we will be there for them.”

“We are training staff in the new skills needed and ensuring everything is in place to provide the best care we can.

“We are fortunate in west Wales to have close-knit communities and we know our residents are looking after themselves and others, and for that, we are thankful.

“We will do everything we can to care for our staff and we thank the public for their support at this challenging time.

“We will be reducing some of our services and our meetings in response to the outbreak but we will ensure that there is good care, good governance and good communication throughout this period,” the report continues.