OVER 30 new deaths from coronavirus have been recorded today, taking the total number of people dying with the virus over 3,000 in Wales.

38 newly reported deaths have been recorded today (Friday), meaning a total of 3,011 people have died from suspected Covid-19 since the pandemic began in March.

36 new cases have been recorded in Ceredigion today, one of the highest daily increases for the county.

Carmarthenshire has recorded 219 new cases today with Pembrokeshire recording 54 new cases.

Powys has recorded 36 cases today and Gwynedd has recorded 13 cases.

Following a delay in reporting that saw over 11,000 cases added to figures yesterday, the seven-day rolling figures for Wales have been amended.

Between 7 and 13 December, the rate of infection in Ceredigion was 216.0 cases per 100,000 population, the standard measurement of infection across the UK.

The rate of infection in neighbouring Carmarthenshire was triple that of Ceredigion, standing at 651.1 cases per 100,000 population.

Pembrokeshire had a rate of infection of 237.6 with a rate of 197.1 in Powys.

Gwynedd’s rate of infection was lower, standing at 77.1.

Between 7-13 December, the most recent seven-day statistics provided by Public Health Wales, Ceredigion reported 157 cases while Carmarthenshire recorded 1,229 cases.

Pembrokeshire recorded 299 cases and Powys, 261.

Gwynedd recorded 96 cases over the same time period.

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales is concerned at the high levels of Coronavirus in nearly every part of Wales and we note that the Welsh Government will be publishing an updated Coronavirus Control Plan next week.

“If we are to have meaningful and safe interactions within the permitted exclusive Christmas ‘bubble’, then everyone should immediately start to limit their interactions with other as much as possible in the lead up to the festive period.

“This means staying out of other people’s homes, limiting the times and the numbers of people that you meet, maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene, working from home if you can, and self-isolating if you show symptoms of coronavirus or are asked to do so by contact tracers.

“As the number of cases continues to accelerate in Wales, we would also advise people to consider their plans for Christmas from the perspective of what they ‘should’ do, rather than what they ‘can’ do, in order to protect their families and communities.

“The festive period is important for people across Wales who want to be with loved ones during the holidays, particularly after a very difficult year, but we would remind everyone that we must each continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of the virus and protect our loved ones, particularly if they are vulnerable or extremely vulnerable. For many, this will mean that it isn’t possible to celebrate Christmas in the way you normally would.”