The number of daily coronavirus cases being reported is dropping according to official statistics, with 1,283 new cases being reported today.

These figures, released by Public Health Wales at lunchtime, mean that Wales as a nation has dropped beneath the benchmark of 300 cases per 100,000 population over a seven-day period, which is one of the driving forces behind the alert level four lockdown, which is due for review next week.

The figure currently is 285 cases per 100,000 population

Wales has however recorded 44 deaths from suspected Covid-19 today, taking the total number of fatalities since the pandemic began to 4,346.

Five of these deaths have been reported in the Hywel Dda region of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, with the total now standing at 323 deaths.

Betsi Cadwaladr in North Wales has recorded 670 deaths in total and Powys Health Board, 40.

Across Wales 175,816 have received a first dose course of covid-19 vaccine and 370 the second dose, with PHW adding that these figures are a daily snapshot and data entry a time of reporting is incomplete so the number vaccinated will be higher.

In Hywel Dda the health board has administered 18,602 vaccinations up to Sunday, January 17, 8,730 in Carmarthenshire, 5,919 in Pembrokeshire and 2,764 in Ceredigion.

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “While there has been a reduction in the numbers of positive coronavirus cases in several parts of Wales, this data needs to be verified over several days before we can be sure that it is showing an established downward trend.

“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.”