A LLANIDLOES GP surgery is scaling back the number of patients it can see after it confirmed a coronavirus patient was from the town.

Arwystli Group Medical Practice said it would only be dealing with urgent cases on Friday, 13 March, after one of the three confirmed Powys coronavirus cases was revealed to be in the Llanidloes area.

Public Health Wales announced this morning that there are a further 13 confirmed cases in Wales, taking the total number to 38.

There are however no confirmed cases in Ceredigion or Gwynedd.

On its Facebook page, the Arwystli Group Medical Practice, based in Llanidloes, said: "Due to a confirmed Covid-19 case in the practice area we will only be seeing urgent cases today.

"If you feel it is urgent for today please contact the surgery and we will organise a call back on the triage list.

"If you are having any flu like symptoms then please self isolate for seven days."

The 13 new cases in Wales are in Caerphilly (four), Swansea (two), Anglesey, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Flintshire, Monmouthshire, Newport and one new case in Powys, taking the total in that county to three.

In a daily statement, Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We can confirm that 13 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 38.

“The process of identifying and contacting close contacts of the new cases is underway, and we are taking all appropriate actions to protect the public’s health."

Dr Howe added: “All patients are being managed in clinically appropriate settings based on the assessment of a specialist infectious disease consultant.

“No further details regarding these individuals will be released, and we ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality.

“Public Health Wales is working with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and others now that we have entered the delay phase of the UK Coronavirus Action Plan. This is now not just an attempt to contain the disease, as far as possible, but to delay its spread.

“The most common symptoms of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough, and/or a high temperature.

“For most people, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection. If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection, however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for seven days from when your symptoms started. This action will help protect others in your community whilst you are infectious.

“The public has a crucial role to play in containing the spread of the virus, and we are encouraging people to wash their hands more often, and for 20 seconds. Use soap and water or a hand sanitiser when you get home or into work, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food. This advice will help you to protect yourself and others.”