A North Wales AM is calling for an urgent explanation after over 80 deaths from coronavirus went unreported in official figures.

Sian Gwenllian, Plaid Cymru AM for Arfon, has said it is “alarming” that only now are the public made aware of the significant number of Covid-19 related deaths in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board.

Figures from Public Health Wales published today included 84 retrospective deaths reported by Betsi Cadwaladr in North Wales which occurred between 20 March and 22 April.

Ms Gwenllian said an “urgent explanation” was needed from the health board, Public Health Wales and Welsh Government as to why there has been “a month of under-reporting”.

Ms Gwenllian stressed that a “a full picture of the outbreak” was “essential” to maintain public confidence and to inform ministers on decisions such as any easing of the lockdown.

She said: “It is alarming that only now are we made aware of a significant number of deaths within BCUHB.

“We need an urgent explanation from the health board, Public Health Wales and 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 to inform ministers on crucial decisions such as any easing of the lockdown.”

A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: “Details of the number of deaths in North Wales were reported in public for the first time today.“Due to issues identified in our reporting system, today’s update includes 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.”