LATEST Public Health Wales figures show that 69 people have tested positive for coronavirus bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Powys to 2,879 since the outbreak began.

There has been one more death with the virus in the county which according to Public Health Wales taking the total to 37. That number stands at 147 according to more accurate Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

Across Wales, 17 more people have died after contracting the virus, and there were 1,793 new cases.

Powys stats

Confirmed cases – 2,879

New cases in January 11 data – 69

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to January 3 – 226.5

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

Why are figures lower in Powys?

Deaths of Powys residents can be skewed as many of the county’s patients deemed acute are transferred to hospitals in England.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures therefore are usually 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. ONS figures stand at 147 in Powys.

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day

Monday, January 11 - 69

Saturday/Sunday, January 9/10 - 75

Friday, January 8 - 43

Thursday, January 7 – 37

Wednesday, January 6 – 39

Tuesday, January 5 – 42

The national picture

A further 17 people have died in Wales, taking the total to 3,981. The total number of deaths in Wales involving Covid-19, however, stands at 3,981, according to the ONS.

Vaccine

A total of 86,039 people in Wales have received a coronavirus vaccine. Of those, 79 people have had two doses.

Public Health Wales statement

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The number of positive Coronavirus cases remains extremely high in Wales and is cause for serious concern.

“All of Wales remains in lockdown. We ask that the public adopts the same mindset for this lockdown as they did in March 2020. We understand that people are fatigued but with a more transmissible variant of coronavirus circulating across Wales it is vital that we all keep to the lockdown restrictions in place.

“This means stay at home, exercise outdoors alone or with members of your household or support bubble and if possible, only once a day. Shop online but if you must visit shops do this alone.

“The Education Minister has announced that all schools and colleges will continue with online learning until at least January 29, and will remain that way until the February half term unless there is a significant reduction in transmission.

“In addition, Welsh Government have confirmed that non-essential retail, hospitality venues, licensed premises and leisure facilities will remain closed. Measures in shops and workplaces which remain open will be strengthened, including closing all showrooms, although they will still be able to operate click and collect services.

“The roll-out of the Pfizer BioNTech and AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccines continues in Wales with the the recently Medicines and Healthcare productes Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved Moderna vaccine to be incorporated into the programme soon.