18 new cases of coronavirus has been recorded in Ceredigion today, according to the latest figures.

In the 30 days leading up to Friday, 20 November, Ceredigion recorded 259 cases of coronavirus, making the county’s 30 day infection rate 356.3 cases per 100,000 population over a 30 day period.

The Cardigan and Aberporth area, where seven schools have been closed for two weeks from today after local authorities reported a ‘significant number’ of Covid-19 cases, 21 confirmed cases have been recorded between 14-20 November, giving the region an infection rate of 236.5 cases per 100,000 population.

That number is expected to rise in the coming days as Ceredigion Council officials say many people with coronavirus symptoms are awaiting their test results.

Elsewhere, Carmarthenshire has recorded 42 new cases today, Pembrokeshire, 15; Powys, 15 and Gwynedd, three.

On Sunday evening, seven schools in the Cardigan area and five in neighbouring Pembrokeshire closed their doors following concerns from local authorities over the rise of Covid-19 cases in the community.

Speaking on Radio Wales Breakfast on Monday, Ceredigion Council leader, Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn, said: “Apparently there were parties on both weekends and also people going around the pubs having pub crawls.

"I think people after the last lockdown thought ’hooray, we can enjoy, we can relax now, and we are out of this more or less because there’s a vaccine coming’.

“They are letting their guard down unfortunately."

She said closing the schools was a containment exercise to keep more people in the Cardigan area before Christmas.