CORONAVIRUS cases continue to rise in Gwynedd with the county currently having the highest rate of infection in Wales.

Latest figures released this lunch time by Public Health Wales show that 2,456 new cases of Covid-19 have been recorded across Wales today along with eight deaths.

The rate of infection has creeped up again today, with the national rate now standing at 512.5 cases per 100,000 population.

Hywel Dda Health Board which covers Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire has recorded its 600th Covid-19 death, with one fatality recorded today.

One death has also been recorded in the Betsi Cadwaladr region of north Wales, with its total now standing at 1,092.

No new deaths have been recorded in Powys today, with its total remaining at 82.

Gwynedd has recorded 182 new cases of coronavirus today, taking this total over the last seven days to 1,024.

Carmarthenshire has recorded 145 cases today with its seven day total now standing at 992.

Ceredigion has yet again recorded the lowest daily number of cases for a public authority in Wales, with 23 new cases.

Ceredigion has recorded 184 cases in the last seven days with the rate of infection in the county currently standing 268.2.

Powys has recorded 93 cases today with a seven-day total of 672 and Pembrokeshire has recorded 107 cases today, taking it to 673 for the last week.

Gwynedd currently has the highest rate of infection in Wales at 709.7 cases per 100,000 population.

The rise in cases in Gwynedd has led health chiefs to issue a warning to people to keep themselves safe.

Dafydd Wyn Williams, chair of the Gwynedd Multi-Agency Covid-19 Prevention and Surveillance Group said: “We are gravely concerned about the steep rise in cases across Gwynedd, and in the Caernarfon, Ffestiniog and Bala (Penllyn) areas in particular.

"The incident rate is extremely high in these communities and we are urging people who live and work in these areas to take extra caution.

“Covid figures in Gwynedd are at their highest since the pandemic began, and it appears that the number of cases is likely to rise in the coming days.

“We’re asking people to help to curb this trend by being vigilant - following the steps of wearing a mask in shops and indoor public places but also to think twice before they attend any large gatherings and to get a test if they develop any symptoms.”