Health chiefs are urging residents of one Mid Wales town to get Covid tested after declaring the town as a coronavirus hotspot.

Residents in Newtown are being urged to access Covid-19 testing after the town has seen a sharp rise in infection rates rise to over 1,000 per 100,000 over the past seven days, mostly in the under 40s age group.

A spokesperson for Powys Health Board said: “Many people are able to carry Covid without displaying any symptoms and this means that they can infect others without even realising.

“Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board are asking everyone to get tested, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.”

There is a range of testing available in Newtown;

· A PCR testing centre for those with symptoms – call 119 or book online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

· An LFD testing centre for those without symptoms - no need to book, just come along between 11:30-5:30 to the Park Street Day Centre, open 7 days a week.

· LFD Collection points for people to collect LFD testing kits to use at home – Boots Pharmacy, Lloyds Pharmacy, Morrisons Pharmacy in Newtown as well as pharmacies and libraries across Powys.

With testing being faster and more available than ever before, there is no reason not to have regular tests to help keep yourself, your friends and family and your community safe.

As restrictions start to lift across the UK and schools breaking up at the end of the week we must all do our bit to ensure we have a safe summer.