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Another 29 people have died of coronavirus in Wales and more than 1,400 new positive cases have been confirmed.
The latest statistics released by Public Health Wales (PHW) on Friday show 1,445 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Wales, the highest number seen since the end of the firewall lockdown.
It means that the infection rate has increased significantly over the last fortnight in Wales, and is increasing in most local authority areas.
Some 78,536 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Wales since the outbreak began, while 2,523 people have died with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus.
The infection rate in Wales as a whole now stands at 200.3 per 100,000 residents based on seven days through Nov. 25, slightly above 189.8 in data released Friday.
Blaenau gwent remains the county in Wales with the highest infection rate with a seven-day rate of 430.8, up from 377.9 the day before.
Torfaen is the second highest with a rate of 424.6, from 345.9, while Newport it is third with 321.3, compared to 298.7.
As for the new cases confirmed on Friday, the areas with the highest numbers are Rhondda Cynon Taf with 204, Cardiff with 174, Swansea with 134, Newport with 105 and Torfaen with 100.
Other areas with high rates of new cases are Blaenau Gwent with 83, Bridgend with 74, Caerphilly with 89, Carmarthenshire with 65, Neath Port Talbot with 63, Wrexham with 45, Merthyr Tydfil with 44 and the Vale of Glamorgan with 55.
Pembrokeshire reported 39 new cases, Ceredigion 17, Powys 25, Monmouthshire 32 and Flintshire 34.
Conwy only had three cases, Gwynedd six, while Anglesey had nine.
- Deaths reported today: 29
- Cases reported today: 1,445 (compared to 11.05 on Friday)
- Number of tests performed: 16,798 (from 12,709 on Friday)
- Total laboratory confirmed coronavirus deaths in Wales: 2,523
Cases per 100,000 for seven consecutive days (November 18-24)
Aneurin Bevan University Board of Health
Blaenau Gwent: 430.8 (from 377.9)
Caerphilly: 277.2 (from 268.9)
Monmouthshire: 162.8 (instead of 156.5)
Newport: 321.3 (from 298.7)
Torfaen: 424.6 (from 345.9)
Betsi Cadwaladr University Board of Health
Anglesey: 52.8 (from 40.0)
Conwy: 17.9 (instead of 19.6)
Denbighshire: 84.6 (instead of 82.6)
Flintshire: 101.2 (up from 108.9)
Gwynedd: 26.5 (from 24.1)
Wrexham: 164.8 (from 151.5)
Cardiff and Vale University Board of Health
Cardiff: 196.2 (from 184.0)
Vale of Glamorgan: 155.7 (up from 140.7)
Cwm Taf Glamorgan University Board of Health
Bridgend: 189.7 (compared to 203.3)
Merthyr Tydfil: 283.5 (instead of 260.3)
Rhondda Cynon Taf: 275.6 (was 252.4)
Hywel Dda University Board of Health
Carmarthenshire: 212.4 (from 208.2)
Ceredigion: 167.8 (from 156.8)
Pembrokeshire: 108.9 (from 95.4)
Powys Teaching Health Council
Powys: 74.8 (up from 76.3)
Swansea Bay University Board of Health
Neath Port Talbot: 275.6 (instead of 294.5)
Swansea: 259.8 (up from 249.4)
Wales Total: 200.3 (from 189.8)
Stay up-to-date with the latest coronavirus data where you live:
Wales has been found to be considering introducing restrictions similar to Scotland’s Level 3, whereby pubs and restaurants are prohibited from selling alcohol and must close before 6pm.
Tighter rules will take effect in Wales from next Friday, as Mark Drakeford said the nation needed “as much leeway as possible” to relax restrictions heading into Christmas.
The Prime Minister of Wales said: “We too have to use the next few weeks to reduce the spread of the virus and create more room for the Christmas period.” You can read what that means here.
It has already been announced that three households will be allowed to form a bubble over Christmas December 23-27. The rules are here.
Drakeford said new restrictions were needed because there were very high rates in some parts of Wales.
He said: “All this is necessary because we need a greater national effort to reduce rates in those parts of the country where they are high and protect those areas so that they do not get worse, where the cases are less.”
“A national approach can protect us all.”
He added: “We are particularly concerned about the increases we are seeing in people under the age of 25.
“Throughout the pandemic, this is how the virus has spread, initially among the younger age groups and then to the older and more vulnerable groups.
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Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for Response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak at Public Health Wales, said:
“Public Health Wales welcomes the decision of the Government of Wales to introduce indoor restrictions before the Christmas period, in order to reduce the chances of the virus spreading in our communities and to keep people safe.
“We await details of the Welsh Government’s deliberations on any additional restrictions.
“We understand that people will want to do their Christmas shopping this time of year. We suggest that you try to visit stores during off-peak hours, to always maintain social distancing and, if you can, wear a face covering. Options like “click and collect” or online shopping can also be something to consider.
“The festive period is important to people in Wales who want to be with their loved ones during the holidays, especially after a very difficult year, but we remind everyone that we must continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of the virus and protect to our loved ones, especially if they are vulnerable or extremely vulnerable. For many, this will mean that it is not possible to celebrate Christmas as you normally would.
“Public Health Wales encourages everyone who lives, works or studies in Merthyr Tydfil to attend the mass testing service at the leisure center as soon as possible, even if they are symptom free.
“Thanks to those who have already attended and conducted a test, as this will help us break the chains of transmission in the area. However, for the exercise to be as successful as possible, we need to get as many people tested in the area as possible.
“For more information on the trial exercise, visit the MTCBC website.
“Anyone over the age of 11 without any symptoms can get tested, but children under 18 will need parental consent. The more people who get tested, the more likely we are to reduce the spread of the virus.
“People with symptoms should be tested too, but should book a test by calling 119 or clicking here.
“Public Health Wales strongly encourages the public to take personal responsibility for their actions and to ensure that we are all doing everything possible to limit the transmission of the coronavirus.
“We remind everyone that the coronavirus is still active in our communities and, therefore, this does not mean a return to normalcy.
“We ask the public to observe regulations and limit their contact with other people as much as possible so that we all work together to reduce the number of positive cases.
“This means staying away from other people’s homes, limiting the time and number of people you meet, maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene, working from home if you can, and isolating yourself if you show coronavirus symptoms or are asked to do so. let him do it. do so using contact markers.
“All of these actions will help break the chains of transmission, reduce the spread of the virus and keep people safe.
“Action has been taken following reports from Danish health authorities that widespread outbreaks of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) have been found in mink farms, with the subsequent spread of a mink variant virus to the local community.
“As a precautionary measure, Denmark was removed from the UK’s Coronavirus travel broker list on Friday 6th November. Any traveler returning to the UK will now need to self-isolate for 14 days in accordance with national legislation and guidelines https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/self-isolates-when-you-arrive .
“We would also advise all members of the public who keep minks or ferrets as pets to avoid contact with them while they have COVID symptoms.
“We recognize that many people can find life more challenging, resulting in difficulties with mental health. There are many agencies that provide help and support, including the CALL helpline on 0800 132 737, which will direct callers to the most appropriate organization based on their needs.
“If you are in severe mental distress or have suicidal thoughts, please contact Samaritans Cymru toll free at 116 123. You can also find sources of advice and guidance on our website if you need help or are concerned about a loved one.
“NHS Wales is still here to help you if you need care, and it is important that you continue to keep appointments and seek help for urgent medical problems. You should call ahead and follow any guidelines that your surgeon, dentist, optometrist, or local health service has put in place to protect you and staff, including the need to stay 2m away from other patients.
“If you or a member of your household develop symptoms of the coronavirus, such as a cough, fever or changes in the sense of taste or smell, you should immediately isolate yourself and book a free coronavirus test at www.gov.uk/get -test- de-coronavirus or by calling 119.
Helpful tips and assistance are available through the NHS COVID-19 app. In addition to providing alerts if you have been in contact with someone with coronavirus, the app will also inform you of the current risk level in your area.
“Information on coronavirus symptoms is available on the Public Health Wales website, or via the NHS 111 Wales symptom checker.
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