A temporary morgue is to be set up near Llandysul as Ceredigion continues preparations for the coronavirus crisis.

Plans have been put in place to covert council buildings in Horeb into a ‘temporary resting centre’ to increase mortuary facilities in the county, should they be needed.

In line with the responsibility of local authorities in Wales to “prepare for every eventuality in light of the coronavirus”, plans have been prepared by Ceredigion County Council.

A spokesman for the council said: “One of those plans is to prepare a temporary resting centre for the deceased to ensure additional capacity, should it be required. This will be a back-up facility, in case there is a need to assist hospital and funeral directors’ mortuaries.”

This will be based at existing council facilities in Horeb, Llandysul, where the internal and external layout of the site is considered suitable for safe operation, but the council stresses it may not be needed.

“Following the completion of a thorough risk assessment, and based on advice from Public Health experts and guidance from the UK Government, it has been concluded that the facility will pose no risk to local residents," the spokesperson said.

“However, Ceredigion County Council will ensure that every effort is made to safeguard the public’s health and wellbeing, and respect people’s dignity in these challenging times.

“Although Ceredigion has not yet experienced the full impact of the virus, it remains a serious threat, and as the rate of infection increases, it could lead to a number of additional deaths.

"However, there is no certainty that this will happen, and it may well be that current systems will be able to cope, and this facility might not be needed."

As of today (Monday) there have been 33 cases of coronavirus recorded in Ceredigion, 150 in Pembrokeshire and 350 in Carmarthenshire.