AS Wales prepares to enter a new lockdown at 6pm, daily figures show that over 700 new cases of Covid-19 were identified in Wales over the past 24 hours.

Across Wales, 761 new cases of coronavirus have been reported today and 13 new deaths, taking the total to 1,756 since the pandemic began in March.

In the last seven days, 4,992 new cases of the virus have been identified in Wales.

Ceredigion has recorded seven new cases today today 21 over past seven days. 28.9 cases per 100,000 population.

One new case has been reported at Aberystwyth University according to its figures, taking the total number of cases ‘reported to the university since September’ to 37.

Gwynedd recorded 15 new cases today taking its total to 103 this week and an infection rate of 82.7.

Carmarthenshire recorded 23 new cases today, taking the seven day total to 147 and leaving the county with an infection rate of 77.9.

Pembrokeshire has recorded one new case today, taking its total to 65 over the past seven days with an infection rate of 51.7.

Powys has recorded eight new cases today, taking the weekly total to 68 and leaving the county with an infection rate of 51.3.

The NHS Covid-19 app has changed the status of a number of postcodes in Ceredigion from low risk to high risk, but this is due to the fact that the whole country is about to enter a firebreak lockdown and is not related to the number of cases in the community.

The app states: “High risk level means your local authority, or a neighbouring local authority is using additional measures, such as lockdown, to reduce transmission because of high levels of infection in the local area. A detailed action plan is in place with both local resources and national support.”

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said today: “Public Health Wales is reminding people that fire-break restrictions come into effect in Wales at 6pm today (Friday 23 October), and will last until the start of Monday 9 November.

“We urge the public to stick to the new rules, which are vital to help us regain control of the virus, to protect the NHS, and save lives.

“Although national and local measures have made a difference, further action is now needed.  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.

 

“Under the rules, 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.”