Over 1,100 new Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths have been recorded in Wales today.

Public Health Wales’ daily figures have revealed that 1,148 cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours and 10 new deaths, taking the total in Wales to 1,722 since the pandemic began in March.

69 of those deaths have been recorded in the Hywel Dda area of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire; 435 have been recorded in Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board’s area of North Wales and 15 in Powys.

Gwynedd has recorded 23 new cases today with Powys close behind with 19 new cases today.

Ceredigion has recorded three new cases; Carmarthenshire, 36 and Pembrokeshire, 14.

The biggest jump in cases came in Cardiff (225 new) and Rhondda Cynon Taff (150) which have both been in local lockdown for the last two weeks.

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said on Tuesday, 20 October: “Public Health Wales supports yesterday’s announcement by the Welsh Government of a two-week national ‘fire-break’ to disrupt the transmission of Coronavirus in Wales.  These new restrictions will come into effect at 6pm on Friday 23 October, and will last until the start of Monday 9 November.

 “Cases continue to rise in Wales, hospital admissions are increasing, including those into critical care, and sadly so are the numbers of people dying from the virus.

“Although national and local measures have made a difference, further action is now needed.  These new rules are vital to regain control of the virus, to protect the NHS, and save lives.

“Under the rules announced yesterday, people must stay at home, except for very limited purposes.  They must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with.

 

“Certain businesses and venues, including bars, restaurants and most shops must close.

“Secondary schools will provide learning online only for the week after half-term, other than for children in years seven and eight. Primary schools and childcare settings will remain open.

“Face coverings continue to be mandatory in the indoor public spaces that remain open, subject to certain exemptions and exceptions, including on public transport and in taxis.”

From Friday at 6pm, Wales will enter a firebreak lockdown for two 17 days.

Everyone in Wales will be required to stay at home.

Other measures and actions that come into force at 6pm, 23 October include:

 

· People must stay at home, except for very limited purposes, such as for outdoor exercise.

· People must work from home wherever possible.

· People must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with either indoors and outdoors.

· Adults living alone and single parents can be in a household with one other house for support.

· All non-food retail, hospitality businesses, including cafes, restaurants and pubs (unless they provide take-away or delivery services must close)

· All close contact services, such as hairdressers and beauticians must close.

· All events and tourism businesses, such as hotels must close.

· Primary schools will open after the half term on Tuesday, 3 November. Secondary Schools will also reopen for Year 7 and 8 pupils only, and online learning will be provided for years 9 to 13. Pupils will be able to come in to schools to take exams.

· Higher Education will continue with a blend of in person and online learning. Students are asked to remain where they are and not to return home.

· Community Centres, Libraries and Waste Recycling Centres will close.

· Unlimited outdoor exercise is permitted.

 

Ceredigion County Council has said that, as is the case already in Ceredigion, Residential Care Homes are closed to visitors and non-essential visits.

In addition, leisure centres and swimming pools are also closed.

The council’s registration service will continue to be available at Canolfan Rheidol, Aberystwyth, by appointment only.