OVER 20 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Ceredigion today as the Welsh Government outlined new rules for pubs and restaurants.

22 new cases were recorded today (Friday) in Ceredigion by Public Health Wales, taking the total number of cases recorded since Sunday in the county to 118.

Elsewhere, Carmarthenshire has today recorded 64 new cases and Pembrokeshire, 31.

Powys has recorded 11 new cases and two new cases have been reported in Gwynedd.

Figures released today for between 18 and 24 November show that 65 cases were confirmed in the Cardigan and Aberporth area, leaving this area with an infection rate of 732.1 cases per 100,000 population, over double what health officials consider to be the highest bracket for rate of infection.

Over the same time period, the number of cases in the north of Ceredigion were in single digits for the seven-day period.

This has led Hywel Dda Health Board to make the decision to move the drive-through test centre, which has been outside council offices in Ceredigion since the summer, to Cardigan, to deal with the outbreak.

The health board said that in its place they have ‘secured’ a walk-in test centre on Penglais Hill, despite the fact that facility has been in operation since September.

21 new deaths have also been recorded today, taking the total number of deaths from suspected Covid-19 in Wale up to 2,494.

523 deaths have been recorded in the Betsi Cadwaladr area of North Wales since the pandemic began and 110 in the Hywel Dda region of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Powys has recorded 29 deaths.

Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford, announced today that pubs, restaurants and hotels will face new restrictions from next Friday.

Cinemas, bowling alleys and other indoor entertainment venues will have to close in the run-up to Christmas to try and bring down the R number in Wales which was currently around the 1.4 mark.

Decisions on what the new restrictions may look like have not been made yet but Mr Drakeford hinted that it may take a form similar to that currently being used in Scotland in ‘level three’ areas where no alcohol can be served and pubs have to close at 6pm.

An announcement is expected on Monday.

Speaking this afternoon, Dr Eleri Davies, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales welcomes the decision of the Welsh Government to introduce restrictions on indoor venues ahead of Christmas period, in order to reduce the opportunities for the virus to spread in our communities and to keep people safe.

“We understand that people will want to do their Christmas shopping at this time of year. We would suggest to try to visit shops during off-peak times, to always maintain social distancing and to wear a face covering if you can. Options such as ‘click and collect’ or online purchasing may also be something to consider.

“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.”