OVER 50 coronavirus-related deaths have been recorded in Wales today, but the number of daily cases continues to fall.

56 suspected Covid-19 deaths have been recorded by Public Health Wales today, taking the total number of fatalities in Wales to 4,666.

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has recorded 12 deaths today, taking its total to 729.

Four deaths have been recorded in the Hywel Dda region of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire taking the total to 348 since the pandemic began in March and five deaths have been recorded in Powys, taking its total to 47.

Daily cases of the virus are dropping across Wales however, with 705 new cases recorded today, taking the infection rate for the country as a whole to 190 cases per 100,000 population.

Gwynedd has recorded 26 new cases today, while Powys has recorded 18; Carmarthenshire, 35; Pembrokeshire, 15 and Ceredigion, 7.

Across Wales 336,071 have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine and 674 the second dose, with PHW adding that these figures are a daily snapshot and data entry a time of reporting is incomplete so the number vaccinated will be higher.

In Hywel Dda the health board has administered 32,360 vaccinations up to the week ending 24 January.

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board over the same period delivered 62,363 doses of the vaccine and Powys Health Board administering 14,349 doses.

Dr Eleri Davies, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) 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 extremely high, and this is placing extreme pressure on our NHS Wales hospitals.

“The UK variant of Coronavirus prevalent in many parts of Wales is up to 70 per cent more transmissible, and as reported last week there is evidence which suggests that it may lead to a higher risk of death than the non-variant. It is therefore vital that everyone continues to remain vigilant, by staying at home and sticking to the rules. This way we will avoid adding to the pressure on hospitals and will keep people safe.

“It is important to remember that all current variants of Covid-19 are still spreading and can cause severe illness and death.

“Therefore it is important to stay at home, and to reduce opportunities for spread by keeping your distance, washing hands regularly, and covering your face.

“All of Wales remains in lockdown. We ask that the public adopts the same mindset for this lockdown as they did in March 2020.

"We understand that people are fatigued but because the new, more infectious variant of coronavirus is circulating across Wales it is vital that we all keep to the lockdown restrictions and do not meet other people.

“This means that you must stay at home. If exercising outdoors, please do this alone or with members of your household or support bubble only. Shop online, but if you do need to visit essential retail then do this alone, if possible, to minimise numbers of people in retail spaces, and avoid stopping to chat with people outside your household. If you must leave home keep your distance, wash your hands regularly, and wear a face mask when required according to the regulations.

“Public Health Wales is working closely with the Welsh Government as they deploy Coronavirus vaccinations through local health boards. Welsh Government is leading on the deployment of the vaccine in Wales.

“Vaccinating the adult population of Wales, to protect people from severe disease, is a significant task, and the vaccine will take time to reach everyone. The effects of the vaccines may not be seen nationally for some time, and everyone – including those who have been vaccinated – must continue to follow the advice on keeping Wales safe.”