Ceredigion has not recorded a single new case of coronavirus today – the first time since October last year.

The number of daily coronavirus cases across Wales continues to fall with 546 recorded today across the country.

Following news that lockdown has been extended across the country for a further three weeks, the daily figures released this lunch time show that Wales has an infection rate of 177 cases per 100,000 population.

29 deaths have however been recorded today, taking the total since the pandemic began last year to 4,695.

Ceredigion has not recorded a single coronavirus case today, the only part of Wales not to do so.

Pembrokeshire has recorded 27 cases today with Carmarthenshire recording 42.

Gwynedd has recorded 15 new cases today while Powys has 22 new cases.

Rolling seven-day statistics released by Public Health Wales, which cover the period 18-24 January, show that Ceredigion has the lowest rate of infection in Wales with just 77.0 cases per 100,000 population and a total of 56 cases over that seven-day period.

Carmarthenshire recorded 353 cases over the same period and has an infection rate of 187.0.

Pembrokeshire recorded 158 cases and has an infection rate of 125.6.

Powys recorded 190 cases and has an infection rate of 143.5 while Gwynedd recorded 161 new cases and has an infection rate of 129.3.

Of the 29 deaths that have been recorded today, eight have been in the Hywel Dda area of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire with the total number of deaths now standing at 356.

Betsi Cadwaladr in North Wales has recorded one new death with its total now being 730 while Powys Health Board recorded no new deaths today and the total remaining at 47.

Giving the daily statement, Dr Robin Howe, incident director for the outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We are increasingly confident in the data which is showing a consistent downward trend in the numbers of positive cases in Wales.

“However, the number of cases is still high, and this is placing extreme pressure on our NHS Wales hospitals.

“This is a crucial time. We must ensure that we stick to the rules over the next few weeks so that the number of cases continues to reduce and that hospitals can start to recover, while the vaccination programme is underway to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”