More than 1,000 new cases reported as another 31 die with Covid-19

A FURTHER 31 people have died with coronavirus in Wales and more than 1,000 new cases have been reported, according to the latest figures, writes Jillian MacMath.

Public Health Wales (PHW), in its daily update yesterday, announced that 1,020 more people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 following a lab test. This was down from 1,048 from Thursday.

The total number of people in Wales who have now died with lab-confirmed coronavirus stands at 2,338.

Wales’ infection rate has seen a slight increase with 166.5 positive cases per 100,000 people for the last seven days (November 11-17) compared with 164.5 per 100,000 on Thursday.

Blaenau Gwent is now the local authority with the most cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day average with 356.0, down from 356.4 on Thursday.

Rhondda Cynon Taf is second highest, with 250.8, down from 256.6 yesterday.

Merthyr Tydfil is the third highest area for infections at 245.3, down from 256.9 one day prior.

The areas with the highest numbers of new cases across South Wales yesterday were Cardiff with 115, Rhondda Cynon Taf with 108, Newport with 70, and Caerphilly with 65.

Additional areas with high case numbers in South Wales included Blaenau Gwent with 46, Bridgend with 40, Vale of Glamorgan with 39, Merthyr Tydfil with 33, and Torfaen with 35.

Cases per 100,000 for rolling seven days (Nov 11-17) in South Wales: ■Aneurin Bevan UHB:

Blaenau Gwent: 365.0 (Up from 356.4)

■ Caerphilly: 238.0 (Down from 251.8) ■ Newport: 200.4 (Up from 196.5)

■ Torfaen: 192.6 (Up from 176.7)

■ ■Cardiff and Vale UHB:

■ Cardiff: 161.1 (Down from 161.4)

■ Vale of Glamorgan: 127.3 (Up from 107.0)

Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB:

Rhondda Cynon Taf: 250.8 (Down from 256.6

Merthyr Tydfil: 245.3 (Down from 256.9

Bridgend: 197.2 (Up from 194.5)

■All Wales total – 166.5 (Up from 164.5)

Dr Robin Howe, incident director for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, yesterday said: “From Saturday, everyone living, working and studying in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough will be eligible for a free Covid-19 test whether they have symptoms or not.

“This mass testing exercise will help to understand how the virus has spread in Merthyr and to break the chains of transmission in the area. Merthyr has one of the highest rates of Coronavirus in Wales and this will help to get the virus under control.

“Public Health Wales encourages as many people as possible to come forward to be tested.

“For the first time in Wales, Lateral Flow Devices will be used which give a result within 30 minutes.

“For more information about the testing exercise visit the MTCBC website.

“We would remind everyone that Coronavirus is still active in our communities, and therefore this does not mean a return to normality.”