Six more people have died after contracting coronavirus, Welsh health officials have confirmed.

A total of 28 people have now died from the disease in Wales, with 113 new cases being identified today (Thursday), taking the total number to 741.

Seven of those new cases are in the Hywel Dda area, taking the total in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to 45.

Betsi Cadwaladr has three new cases taking the total to 25 and Powys seeing five new cases, taking it total to 75.

Dr Robin Howe, incident director for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “113 new cases have tested positive for Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 741, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.

“Covid-19 is now circulating in every part of Wales.

“Six further deaths have been reported to us of people who had tested positive for Covid-19, taking the number of deaths in Wales to 28.

“We offer our condolences to the family and friends affected, and we ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality.”

As reported previously, the UK and Welsh Government have introduced new measures.

New rules on staying at home and away from others

The single most important action we can all take in fighting coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.

When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection.

Three new measures have been introduced:

1) Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes

2) Closing non-essential shops and community spaces

3) Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public

Every citizen must comply with these new measures. The relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

These measures are effective immediately.

Welsh Government, working with UK Government, will keep these measures under constant review and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.

Staying at home

You should only leave the house for one of four reasons:

1) Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible

2) One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household

3) Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

4) Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home

These four reasons are exceptions - even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

These measures must be followed by everyone. Separate advice is available for individuals or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded.

If you work in a critical sector outlined in UK Government guidance, or your child has been identified as vulnerable, you can continue to take your children to school.

Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes.

For the guidance in full, visit the Department of Health and Social Care website at https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response