THERE have been 60 new positive tests for coronavirus reported in Powys during the last 24 hours – with two more recorded deaths, according to Public Health Wales (PHW) stats.

It takes the cumulative number of cases in the county since the pandemic started to 3,079 cases recorded in Powys.

There have been no deaths in Powys with the virus in the last 24 hours meaning the total number of Powys deaths recorded by Public Health Wales remains at 40, although that number remains at 154 according to more accurate Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

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

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 3,079

New cases in January 16 data – 60

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to January 10 – 199.3

Powys position among Welsh local authorities for rate of new cases – joint 13th out of 22

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Saturday, January 16 - 60

Friday, January 15 – 50

Thursday, January 14 – 42

Wednesday, January 13 – 18

Tuesday, January 12 - 30

Monday, January 11 - 69

The national picture:

A further 55 people are reported to have died in Wales with coronavirus, PHW has said.

It means that 4,226 people are now known to have died in Wales with the virus.

There have been 178,989 cases of coronavirus found in Wales since the pandemic began.

Vaccinations:

To date, 126,375 people in Wales have received at least their first dose of coronavirus vaccine while 129 people have had their second dose.

Vaccination figures are not updated by Public Health Wales over the weekend.

Public Health Wales' statement:

Dr Chris Williams, 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, due to the impact on NHS Wales services.

“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 because the new, more infectious variant of coronavirus is circulating across Wales it is vital that we all keep to the lockdown restrictions and do not meet other people.

“This means that you must stay at home. If exercising outdoors, please do this alone or with members of your household or support bubble only. Shop online, but if you do need to visit essential retail then do this alone, if possible, to minimise numbers of people in retail spaces, and avoid stopping to chat with people outside your household. If you must leave home keep your distance, wash your hands regularly, and wear a face mask when required according to the regulations.

“Public Health Wales urges everyone to follow the rules, to avoid transmission of Coronavirus and to protect everyone in our communities, including the most vulnerable.

“Public Health Wales is working with UK partners to investigate and respond to the new variant of coronavirus identified in Wales. The new variant is easier to spread and the public should remain highly vigilant in measures to prevent transmission including maintaining social distancing, regularly handwashing and wearing of face coverings. Though the new variant is more infectious, there is no evidence that it leads to more severe disease."