Nearly 4,000 new cases of coronavirus have been recorded today as the country’s top scientist says it’s only a matter of time before the Omicron variant arrives in Wales.

According to the latest data released this lunchtime by Public Health Wales, 3,969 new cases have been recorded across the country between Friday and 9am on Sunday.

Gwynedd has recorded 284 new cases today, with 192 being recorded in Carmarthenshire and 153 in Pembrokeshire.

Numbers remain low in Ceredigion where 48 new cases were recorded over the weekend, with Powys recording 167 cases.

Ten deaths have been recorded across Wales with two in the Hywel Dda Health Board region of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, taking the total to 611.

One death has been recorded in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board region of north Wales, taking its total to 1,097.

One death has also been recorded in Powys, taking its total to 83

6,401 deaths have now been recorded in Wales since the start of the pandemic with over half a million cases of Covid-19 since March 2020.

The national rate of infection currently stands at 476.7 cases per 100,000 population.

Concerns are being raised over the Omicron variant after Scotland recorded six cases today.

Speaking to Radio Wales this morning, Wales’ top doctor, Dr Frank Atherton, warned that it was only a matter of time before the variant reached Wales.

He said: "It is a matter of buying time rather than stopping the transmission completely.

"Our best line of defence against this still is vaccines and social distancing, those things that we know keep us safe because they can reduce the transmission of this new variant in the community whilst we understand the implications of it."

He added that he was still optimistic Wales could have a better Christmas than last year, but things were finely balanced.

"It is a time to remind ourselves that there are things that can keep us safe - social distancing, reducing our contacts as much as possible, wearing face coverings where we are required to do that.

"Work from home wherever possible, all of those things will slow, they won’t necessarily stop, but will slow down the spread of the virus and hopefully allow us to enjoy a better Christmas."