SEVEN deaths and over 2,000 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded across Wales according to the latest figures.

The data, which covers a 24-hour period up to 9am on Friday, shows that 2,408 new cases of coronavirus were recorded across Wales, with the rate of infection rising to 521.2 cases per 100,000 nationally.

Of those new cases, Gwynedd recorded 188, the second highest daily rise for a public authority area in Wales, behind Cardiff.

Powys recorded 107 new cases with Carmarthenshire recording 105 and Pembrokeshire, 96.

Ceredigion recorded 41 new cases over the same period, joint lowest with Anglesey.

The latest figures mean that Gwynedd continues to have the highest rate of infection in Wales, currently standing at 772.3 cases per 100,000 population.

A lot of Gwynedd’s cases tend to focused around the Bangor and Caernarfon areas, but the Bala and Mawddwy area has a rate of infection of 1698.9 cases per 100,000.

Comparatively, Pwlllheli and Morfa Nefyn has a rate of 261.3.

Ceredigion has the lowest rate in Wales, currently standing at 279.2 cases per 100,000.

One of the seven deaths reported today has been recorded in the Hywel Dda Health Board region of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, taking the total number of suspected Covid-19 fatalities to 601.

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in north Wales has also recorded one death today, taking its total to 1,093.

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

The World Health Organization says it is ‘very worried’ about the spread of Covid-19 in continental Europe – a concern shared by First Minister Mark Drakeford when he gave his Covid update on Thursday.

The Netherlands has seen riots following the announcement of the return of lockdown measures and Austria has reintroduced lockdown measures.

Regional director of the WHO, Dr Hans Kluge, warned that 500,000 more deaths could be recorded by March across Europe unless urgent action is taken.

Professor John Edmunds, a Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) member, has said the latest wave on the continent underlines ‘how quickly’ things can go wrong and urged those yet to be vaccinated to take up their invites.

He also encouraged people to get their booster jabs.