Coronavirus in Powys round-up – Saturday, November 28

The latest new instances take the overall total number of confirmed cases in the county since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,429.

There have been no more deaths with the virus in Powys today, meaning the number of people who have died with the virus in Powys remains at 29, according to Public Health Wales data.

The figures do not include deaths of residents from Powys in hospitals in England, although these are included in Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

ONS figures, considered a stronger indicator of the overall impact of the virus, and which are based on all deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate, stand at 102 in Powys.

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 1,429

New cases in November 28 data – 25

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to November 25 – 74.8

Powys position among Welsh local authorities for rate of new cases – 17th out of 22

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Saturday, November 28 – 25

Friday, November 27 – 11

Thursday, November 26 – 24

Wednesday, November 25 – 11

Tuesday, November 24 – 9

Monday, November 23 – 9

Saturday/Sunday, November 21/22 – 26

The national picture:

A further 29 people have died with coronavirus in Wales, taking the total to 2,523, according to the latest figures.

Public Health Wales data also showed 1,445 more people had tested positive for Covid-19, taking the total to 78,536.

Among the latest cases, 204 people have tested positive in Rhondda Cynon Taf, with 174 in Cardiff and 134 in Swansea. Fourteen of the deaths were in the Swansea Bay health board and the Aneurin Bevan health board area in west Wales.

A further eight deaths were in the Cwm Taf health board area, which covers Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf. There were four deaths in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area in north Wales with two in Hywel Dda health board area in west Wales and a single death in the Cardiff and Vale health board area.

The highest case rate was in Blaenau Gwent, at 430.8 per 100,000 people over a rolling seven days, followed by Torfaen at 345.9. The lowest is Conwy with 17.9 and then Gwynedd with 26.5.

The latest figures follow Friday’s announcement from Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford that pubs, restaurants and bars will be subject to stricter Covid-19 restrictions in the run up to Christmas.

The new restrictions, which have not yet been finalised, will come into force from Friday, December 4. They may be based on the system in some parts of Scotland where no alcohol can be served.

Cinemas, bowling alleys and indoor entertainment venues will also have to shut before the festive break. A date for these to close has not yet been agreed.

Mr Drakeford said action was needed as case rates continued to rise in the run up to Christmas.

But the Welsh Conservatives said any new restrictions would be a "real blow" for businesses who had already "suffered greatly", while Plaid Cymru said the lack of detail was leaving employers unable to prepare.

Mass coronavirus testing, meanwhile, will be rolled out in a second location in the south Wales valleys.

People living or working in the lower Cynon valley, which includes Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber and parts of Mountain Ash and Aberaman will be offered tests.

The testing will begin on December 5 and continue until December 20, the Welsh Government said.

It follows a pilot in Merthyr Tydfil which saw almost 1,000 people tested on its opening day.

Public Health Wales' statement:

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales welcomes the decision of the Welsh Government to introduce restrictions on indoor venues ahead of Christmas period, in order to reduce the opportunities for the virus to spread in our communities and to keep people safe.

“We await details of the Welsh Government’s deliberations on any further restrictions.

“We understand that people will want to do their Christmas shopping at this time of year. 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.

“The festive period is important for people across Wales who want to be with loved ones during the holidays, particularly after a very difficult year, but we would remind everyone that we must each continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of the virus and protect our loved ones, particularly if they are vulnerable or extremely vulnerable.

“For many, this will mean that it isn’t possible to celebrate Christmas in the way you normally would.”