First Minister Mark Drakeford has told MyWelshpool that he expects a new testing lab in North Wales will speed up the return of Covid-19 test results to Welshpool residents.
Mr Drakeford was responding to our story on Thursday that revealed some tests were taking over twice the promised 48 hours to be returned.
In an e-briefing with Mid Wales media, the First Minister also revealed that Year 6 kids could be returning to school within a month should progress continue to be made in combating the killer virus.
After we probed him about Welshpool testing times, Mr Drakeford responded: “I believe that 95% of tests are returned on time within 48 hours, but obviously that leaves 5% that are not so we want to do more.”
Currently all tests are sent to Cardiff but the First Minister revealed that a new laboratory is being created close to Rhyl which will cover North and Mid Wales.
“This facility will help with the extra capacity expected and hopefully address the issue you have raised from your area,” he said.
Meanwhile, when quizzed on schools by a fellow journalist, Mr Drakeford said that children will only return “when the chief medical officer says it is safe to do so”.
“A decision could be made at the end of next week where we can look at certain groups to return,” he said.
“One of these groups could be Year 6, the final year of primary school, who will need to prepare for the big step in their lives of going to high school so it is important to remove those anxieties that they may have.
“We will look to do some things for them in the summer term, but if the decision is made next week it would still take two-three weeks to make the schools available for specific target groups.”
He added that children with certain behavioural needs would also be prioritised for an earlier return but again insisted “the safety of kids comes first”.
The First Minister also acknowledged the dire financial situation that Powys County Council is facing due to an extra £10 million hit due to the virus, and said that a combined effort is being made with all Welsh and English regional authorities to lobby the UK Government for more money.
“Should that money become available it would be directed straight to Powys County Council who we know have lost significant revenue,” he said.