30 more Covid-related deaths have been recorded in Wales today as the total number of positive coronavirus cases in the country since the outbreak began surpasses the 200,000 mark.

A total of 374 new cases have been recorded today, according to official statistics released this lunchtime by Public Health Wales.

24 of those new cases were recorded in Powys, which has warned in recent days over an increase in infection rates across the county.

Ceredigion has recorded four new cases today, while Carmarthenshire has recorded 17 and Pembrokeshire, six.

Gwynedd has recorded nine new cases.

30 deaths have been recorded across the country taking the total number of deaths in Wales since the pandemic began to 5,175.

Dr Robin Howe, incident director for the outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Over 200,000 cases of coronavirus have now been reported in Wales. Some people with the virus have had no symptoms. Others have sadly passed away.

“The vaccines are bringing hope for the future. But for now it’s more important than ever to stick to the rules and keep Wales safe.

“Although the data currently shows that on an all-Wales level the numbers of cases are reducing and that the incidence is now below 90 cases per 100,000 population, the rates in some areas – particularly in North Wales – are still significantly higher, and there have been small increases in others.

“It is encouraging to see that the numbers of people being treated for coronavirus in our hospitals is reducing, but there are still a large number of people who are extremely ill, which means that the pressure on services is still very high.

“All of Wales remains in lockdown. We recognise that complying with the restrictions can be challenging, but coronavirus is still active in our communities and can cause severe illness and death.

"The reduction in the number of cases does not mean that people can meet people from other households (apart from one person for socially distanced exercise), as this can cause the virus to spread.

“As a nation, we have made so many sacrifices throughout the course of the pandemic that we really don’t want to squander the gains that have been made in recent weeks.”

For more information on the coronavirus in your area, go to www.tinyurl.com/wgthkgs