WALES has recorded 17 Covid-19 related deaths today as the infection rate rises for a third day in a row.

2,417 new cases of coronavirus have been recorded across Wales in the latest figures released by Public Health Wales this lunch time, with the rate of infection rising again, now standing at 498.0 cases per 100,000 population.

Gwynedd has recorded 101 new cases today with 132 being recorded in Carmarthenshire; 102 in Pembrokeshire and 100 in Powys.

Ceredigion has again recorded the lowest daily figure for a public authority in Wales, with 27 new confirmed cases of Covid-19.

17 deaths have been recorded nationwide, taking the total number of Covid-19 related fatalities to 6,314 since the start of the pandemic.

Four of the deaths recorded today have been in the Hywel Dda Health Board region of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire with the total number of deaths now standing at 597.

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in north Wales has recorded two deaths today, taking its total to 1,091 with no deaths recorded in Powys, with its total remaining at 80.

Wales’ First Minister is due to give an update on the coronavirus situation this week following the Welsh Government’s three-week review.

At the last review on 29 October, Mr Drakeford warned that a return to restrictions would have to be considered if cases did not fall.

At that time, the rate of infection was 671 cases per 100,000 and today stands at 498 cases.

No indication has been given as to what the First Minister will announce later this week, but he did say in the Senedd on Tuesday “Nobody should think that we are somehow out of the woods on this yet.

“The Cabinet will look very carefully at the numbers."