More testing centres could be opened in Ceredigion, health chiefs have today confirmed as they opened a drive-through testing centre in Carmarthen.

A new drive-through testing unit for key workers in West Wales was today opened on the showground site in Carmarthen.

The unit is supporting testing facilities already providing tests for NHS staff and key workers such as those from police, fire and ambulance services, care homes and other critical local authority staff.

Other testing facilities are available across the area in Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Haverfordwest and Llanelli, and consideration is also being taken as to how testing capacity may further be strengthened in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

This latest testing unit has been delivered following a partnership between the UK Government and Deloitte to deliver the UK-wide coronavirus testing of key workers.

Key partners on the West Wales facility also include the Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, Carmarthenshire council and other partners on the Local Resilience Forum.

Executive director of therapies and health science for Hywel Dda Health Board, Alison Shakeshaft said: “We are grateful for the partnership working between the government and agencies in our area to establish this testing centre which supports testing capacity across our large area.

"We serve a rural community and are doing everything we can to make testing as accessible as possible.

"We will continue to work with other health boards in regards to mutual aid and supporting people who live or work across our boundaries.”

Peter Roderick, assistant chief constable for Dyfed-Powys Police, said on behalf of the Local Resilience Forum: “We are pleased to support expansion of testing for our key workers in this area, which is a critical part of our response to this pandemic. We thank our key workers and also our communities for their continued co-operation and assistance.”

The facility, in addition to other testing units and alternatives being explored by the Welsh Government, could potentially support future expansion of community testing.

Symptomatic key workers or key workers with a symptomatic household member can request a test through Hywel Dda Health Board. Details on how to request a test can be obtained from the key worker’s employing organisation. If a test is appropriate an appointment slot will be provided at the most convenient testing facility.

People are asked not to attend any testing facilities without prior arrangement with the health board, as this could adversely affect their ability to provide tests to those who need them and tests will not be performed without a prior appointment.

Testing units do not pose a risk to the public as stringent infection prevention measures are in place to protect people, staff and the wider community.

Ceredigion today (Thursday) confirmed one more case of coronavirus, taking the total in the county to 36 from 393 tests.

Carmarthenshire has seven new cases, taking its total to 463 from 1,856 tests, and Pembrokeshire has 210 cases (four new) from 919 tests.

Powys also reported three new cases taking its total to 169 from 607 tests.

In North Wales, Gwynedd has reported 11 new cases taking its total of confirmed Covid-19 cases to 229 from 696 test.

22 new deaths were also reported today in Wales, taking the total in the country to 908.

Hywel Dda is reporting that 34 deaths have occurred in its area, Powys has recorded nine deaths and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has reported 120 deaths.