Wales has today recorded the highest daily death toll from coronavirus since the pandemic began.

Over 70 Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded in Wales today with over 2,000 new cases identified.

The latest figures, released this lunchtime by Public Health Wales, state that 76 new deaths have been recorded across Wales, taking the total number of fatalities since the pandemic began to 3,738.

2,238 new cases have been recorded across Wales in the last day.

26 of those new cases are in Ceredigion, with Carmarthenshire recording 83 new cases and Pembrokeshire, 47.

Powys has recorded 39 new cases while Gwynedd has recorded 19.

Giving the daily update, Dr Robin Howe, incident director for the outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The number of positive coronavirus cases remains extremely high in Wales and is cause for serious concern.

“Today we are reporting our highest number of deaths through the course of the pandemic – it should be noted that not all of these deaths occurred during the same 24-hour period but it does show the severity of the situation and acts as a reminder to everyone how important it is to stick to the rules to prevent transmission of the virus.

“In the light of the serious situation in Wales, the Education Minister has announced that all schools, colleges and independent schools should move to online learning until 18 January.

“Schools and colleges will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable learners, as well as for learners who need to complete essential exams or assessments. Welsh Government has indicated that Special Schools and PRU’s should remain open if possible.

“With vaccinations for Covid-19 progressing, we welcome the start of the roll-out of the second Coronavirus vaccine (from Oxford/AstraZeneca) in Wales, with the first patients receiving their vaccine on Monday.”