SIX more deaths from coronavirus have been recorded in the Hywel Dda region over the past 24 hours.

Across Wales, 34 deaths have been reported today (Thursday) by Public Health Wales.

In the Hywel Dda region, which covers Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, six new deaths have been recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the total in West Wales since the pandemic began to 87.

Five deaths have been recorded in the Betsi Cadwaladr region of North Wales today, taking the total there to 482.

No new deaths have been recorded in Powys, leaving the total in that county at 20.

Five new cases of coronavirus have been recorded today in Ceredigion taking the seven-day rolling total to 79 cases and leaving the county with an infection rate of 108.7 cases per 100,000 population, the standard measurement for infection across the UK.

Powys has recorded 39 new cases today, taking its weekly total to 165 cases and giving the county an infection rate of 124.6 cases per 100,000.

Gwynedd has recorded 14 new cases today, making the seven-day total 65 cases and leaving the county with an infection rate of 52.2.

Pembrokeshire has recorded nine new cases today, taking the weekly total to 62 and giving the county an infection rate of 49.3.

37 cases have been recorded in Carmarthenshire today, taking the weekly total to 268 cases with an infection rate of 142.0.

Giving the daily statement, Dr Eleri Davies, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales strongly advises the public to take personal responsibility for their actions and to ensure that we are all doing as much as possible to limit the transmission of Coronavirus.

“As we approach the first weekend since the fire-break restrictions have been lifted, we would remind everyone that Coronavirus is still active in our communities, and therefore this does not mean a return to normality.

“We ask the public to observe the new regulations and to limit their contact with other people as much as possible so that we all work together to bring the numbers of positive cases down.

“This means staying out of other people’s homes, limiting the times and the numbers of people that you meet, maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene, working from home if you can, and self-isolating if you show symptoms of coronavirus or are asked to do so by contact tracers.

“It is extremely important that we only make essential journeys, maintain strict social distancing with those we don’t live with, and reduce the number of people that we meet.

"All of these actions will help to break the chains of transmission, reduce the spread of the virus, and keep people safe.

“We understand that people will want to carry on with their Christmas shopping now the fire-break has ended and so we would suggest to try to visit shops during off-peak times, to always maintain social distancing and to wear a face covering if you can.

"Options such as ‘click and collect’ or online purchasing may also be something to consider.

“This Saturday is Diwali, a festival which is celebrated by large numbers of people from India and of Indian heritage.

"We would ask those who are celebrating to do so safely, within your own household, and remember the regulations if you go out.

"If you choose to use fireworks, please take care and follow the fireworks code to avoid injury.”