AN INVESTIGATION is taking place after Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board failed to report coronavirus-related deaths daily.

The health board failed to report deaths, in line with other health boards, between March 20 and April 22. It has been described as a "delay in the reporting process".

Public Health Wales reported 84 deaths in North Wales last Thursday.

Initially, it looked like the area had seen the biggest jump in confirmed deaths up to 110.

It later was revealed the figures were for the whole month.

Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West, said: “Yet again it appears that we have another problem with the NHS here in North Wales.

“The failure to provide an explanation for the delay in reporting these deaths is completely unacceptable and it will be impossible for people in Wales to have any confidence in the information being provided when these figures have been so wide of the mark.

“Now is not the time for a lame excuse; we need a full and honest answer from Public Health Wales and the Welsh Government regarding what’s gone wrong and details on what action they intend to take to make sure that it doesn’t happen again in the future.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford stated he is to receive a report on the under-reporting of deaths on Monday, April 27.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “On April 24 we were made aware of a delay in reporting of Covid-19 related deaths in the BCUHB area, which resulted in 84 deaths being reported in Friday’s update.

“These related to the period March 27 to April 22. There have been a total of 88 Covid-19-related deaths reported in hospitals in the BCUHB area. This data is now included in the Public Health Wales dashboard. Measures have been put in place between the health board and Public Health Wales to ensure accurate reporting moving forward.”

Mark Isherwood AM, Shadow Minister for North Wales, said: " Call them ‘retrospective’ or a ‘delay in reporting’ if you wish, but essentially, these are 84 deaths that went unreported.

"I am staggered as to how they could have been missed, and I am equally concerned as to how this may have skewed the overall figures and the approach to combatting Coronavirus.

“It smacks of incompetence of the highest level, and will create further anxiety for people who have experienced the problems of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – which has been in special measures for nearly five years – as we go through this pandemic.”

Siân Gwenllian, AM for Arfon, said: “We need an urgent explanation from the health board, Public Health Wales and the Welsh Government as to why there has been a month of under reporting.

“A full picture of the outbreak is essential to maintain public confidence and inform ministers on crucial decisions such as easing of the lockdown.”

Simon Dean, Interim Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: "Details of the number of deaths in North Wales were reported in public for the first time on Friday.

"Due to issues identified in our reporting system, Friday’s update included an accumulation of cases where a patient has died while also testing positive for Covid-19.

"All data on cases of COVID-19 and deaths have been recorded correctly, and the issue identified relates to how this data is shared.

"This issue has now been resolved."