The Leader announced that Members may be interested to know, that more than 126,300 vaccinations have now been carried out across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board region.

For Bridgend County Borough, this breaks down as more than 37,300 people who have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

This was excellent news, and quite different to our previous situation where we were one of the most affected areas in Wales.

Despite this improved outlook, it is important to remember that 38 people are currently recovering from coronavirus at the Princess of Wales Hospital.

Latest figures from Cwm Taf confirm that 16 residents are still battling the illness there, three of whom are in intensive care, so it is imperative that we do not let our guard down in terms of the illness.

As Members were aware, the priority groupings for the vaccination programme have been determined on a UK-wide basis by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation.

Anyone within the first four groups who may be concerned that they have not received an appointment for their first dose can call 01443 562 264 or fill in an online form at the Cwm Taf website.

Otherwise, with vaccinations for people in priority groups one to four now complete, the focus has turned towards the 120,000 people who are within priority groups five to nine.

Colleagues in Cwm Taf believe that they are on track for completing this new phase and delivering at least the first dose of the vaccination by the end of April.

The Council is continuing to work closely with the health board, and is supporting the roll-out of the vaccine here in Bridgend County Borough.

We were leading on a new lateral flow testing initiative, also known as community testing, in a number of our local wards.

This is a four-week Welsh Government initiative where a testing team targets different communities, and carry out tests on residents aged 11 and over who are not displaying any symptoms of coronavirus.

The aim is to identify asymptomatic individuals who may not be aware that they are infected.

It involves the setting up of centres where people can attend and carry out a test themselves, which is then processed on the premises.

The participant receives the result by text or email within about 30 minutes of completing it.

If it is positive, arrangements are made for the participant to receive a second confirmatory test.

In Bridgend County Borough, the lateral flow testing will focus on Caerau, Nantyffyllon, Pyle, Kenfig Hill, Cornelly, Cefn Cribwr, Sarn, Aberkenfig, Ynysawdre, Bryncethin, Bryncoch, Pencoed, Hendre, Felindre and Penprysg.

While these areas have been selected based mainly on public health surveillance data, the testing programme has been designed to be able to react in the event that another hotspot becomes apparent.

A great deal of preparation is currently taking place to organise and promote the lateral flow testing, and the Leader hoped that Members would play their part, in making people aware and encouraging their participation.

With the programme set to begin very soon, Welsh Government are expected to confirm further details in the immediate future, and the Leader would ensure that Members are kept fully informed and updated on this.

Lateral flow testing will also be taking place within local schools and the Bridge Alternative Provision, again in line with Welsh Government requirements.

This will seek to prevent the likelihood of clusters and outbreaks, and the disruption to education and care that inevitably follows.

Throughout each of the vaccination, mobile testing and community testing initiatives, he was afraid to say, that residents will need to continue to remain alert for scammers who may try and trick people into handing over cash and confidential information.

He hoped that Members will remind their constituents that the vaccine is free to receive. The NHS will never ask for payment, and they will not turn up at your home unannounced or ask you to hand over confidential documents or banking details.

As before, the advice on keeping Wales safe remains the same, remember to keep a two-metre distance from others, wash hands regularly, and wear a face covering where required.

Mobile testing facilities remain fully available in Bridgend County Borough for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, and further details of these can be found at the Council, Cwm Taf and Welsh Government websites.

Finally announced the Leader, we are of course approaching the one year anniversary of the start of the pandemic. A national project is underway to mark this event on the 23 March, in order to enable people to pay respect to all those who have passed away as a result of coronavirus.

The project involves lighting up iconic structures and community buildings, such as the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, and Bridgend County Borough Council will be participating with this.

The Leader would share further details with Members here, as soon as they have been confirmed.