Coronavirus cases across Wales continue to drop with 570 new cases recorded today.

Latest figures released this lunchtime by Public Health Wales show that the national rate of infection now stands at 219 cases per 100,000 population and appears to be on a downward trend.

Eight deaths have been recorded today, taking the total number since the start of the pandemic to 4,561 in Wales.

Ceredigion has again recorded the lowest number of daily new cases in Wales with six reported today.

Carmarthenshire has recorded 24 new cases today while Pembrokeshire has reported seven new cases.

Gwynedd has recorded 10 new cases and Powys, 24.

The latest seven-day figures that cover between 15 and 21 January show that Ceredigion has an infection rate of 108.7 cases per 100,000 population after recording 79 cases.

Carmarthenshire’s infection rate over the same period is almost double that of Ceredigion’s, standing at 211.4 cases per 100,000, having recorded 399 cases.

Gwynedd, which recorded 193 new Covid-19 cases between 15-21 January, has an infection rate of 154.9 while Pembrokeshire, which recorded 196 cases, has an infection rate of 155.8.

Powys recorded 214 cases over those seven days and has an infection rate of 161.6.

Giving the daily statement, Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “All of Wales remains in lockdown.

“We ask that the public adopts the same mindset for this lockdown as they did in March 2020.

“We understand that people are fatigued but because the new, more infectious variant of coronavirus is circulating across Wales it is vital that we all keep to the lockdown restrictions and do not meet other people.

“This means that you must stay at home.

“If exercising outdoors, please do this alone or with members of your household or support bubble only. Shop online, but if you do need to visit essential retail then do this alone, if possible, to minimise numbers of people in retail spaces, and avoid stopping to chat with people outside your household. If you must leave home keep your distance, wash your hands regularly, and wear a face mask when required according to the regulations.

“Public Health Wales urges everyone to follow the rules, to avoid transmission of Coronavirus and to protect everyone in our communities, including the most vulnerable.”

The current lockdown restrictions are due to be reviewed later this week, but First Minister Mark Drakeford told the Cambrian News that any changes to the restrictions between now and the next review on 19 February would be “marginal”, “cautious and careful”.