Over 20 residents and staff at an Aberaeron care home have tested positive for coronavirus.

Officials at the council-run Min y Môr residential care home have confirmed that 25 residents and staff have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past week and the situation will “continue to be closely monitored”, Ceredigion County Council says.

Council officials have also raised concerns about the level of coronavirus cases in the Aberaeron and Llanrhystud area.

A council spokesperson said: “We are especially concerned about the level of increase in the Aberaeron and Llanrhystud area, which has now reached 507.3 per 100,000 population and the Lampeter and Llanfihangel Ystrad area which remains high at 388.2 per 100,000 population.

“This doesn’t need to be the case.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure we follow the guidelines so that we can keep our families and friends safe and that we can meet up with loved ones over Christmas safely.

“We ask that you now limit your contact with people outside your household.”

The council said it is working closely with Hywel Dda University Health Board and Public Health Wales to contain the virus within Min y Môr home and to provide support to the staff and residents at the home.

“The residents’ families have all been contacted by the home and staff will provide regular updates to all families over the coming days and weeks,” the council said.

Visits to care homes in Ceredigion “remain suspended” amid the ongoing pandemic, the council said, adding that residents “are being supported to keep in touch with family and friends via telephone and video conferencing/Skype calls.”

“We are extremely grateful for the co-operation shown by staff, care home residents, their families and members of the public as we take every step to keep Ceredigion’s residents safe and well,” the council added.

The council has also made arrangements for family, friends and well-wishers to leave gifts for Ceredigion’s care home residents at drop off points at libraries throughout the county.