150 new cases of coronavirus in Wales

150 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 628, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:

“150 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 628, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.  

“Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now circulating in every part of Wales.

“Five further deaths have been reported to us of people who had tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the number of deaths in Wales to 22.  

“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

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

Numbers of confirmed cases by local health board