No new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Powys in the latest 24-hour period.

Latest figures from Public Health Wales show the number of cases in the county remains at 361 although the true figure is likely to be higher.

Across Wales, 24 new cases have been reported today (Tuesday, August 18) bringing the total to 17,599.

Public Health Wales data relate to cases where coronavirus has been confirmed, and only include people who have died in hospital settings in Wales.

As such, this excludes people who have died in hospitals in England, those who have passed away in care homes, and those who died without having been tested to confirm the presence of coronavirus.

Powys Teaching Health Board has suggested Office for National Statistics (ONS) data to be the most accurate, as it shows deaths where coronavirus may have been present since the epidemic began.

Figures published by the ONS show there have been 94 Powys deaths from the virus overall, nine at home, 37 in hospital, and 48 in a care home setting.

READ MORE: One more person has died with coronavirus in Powys

Dr Christopher Williams, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales welcomes the announcement of £32m investment from Welsh Government in our laboratory service.

“This will allow the service to undergo a major transformation which will significantly increase its Covid-19 testing capacity, speed up testing turnaround times and allow regional labs to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The funding will also see the creation of six Hot Labs at hospitals across Wales, and will create up to 160 new jobs in the sector.

“The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has paused his advice to shield as the prevalence rate of the coronavirus in our communities has reduced. This means that, as of Sunday, August 16, people no longer need to shield.

“Following confirmation by the Welsh Government that the essential travel restriction on public transport was been lifted on Monday, August 17, we are reminding people of the need to act responsibility when using public transport.

“This includes planning journeys to avoid busy periods if possible, washing or sanitising hands at the start and end of each trip, and wearing face coverings.

“From August 22, providing conditions remain stable, up to four households will be able to join together to form a single extended household, and a meal following a wedding, civil partnership or funeral will be allowed for up to 30 people indoors providing social distancing can be maintained.

“We welcome the amendments to regulations making it obligatory for hospitality businesses and other settings to collect contact details of customers from next week. This information is essential for Wales’ Test, Trace, Protect strategy for testing the general public and preventing the spread of coronavirus.

“We would remind the general public that as of Saturday, August 16, anyone who arrives in Wales from Aruba, France, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands and Turks and Caicos, or who has visited or made a transit stop in any of those countries or territories, will be required to isolate for 14 days. Advice on travelling abroad, including the latest information on quarantine requirements on returning home, can be found on the FCO website.

"Anyone with suspected symptoms of Covid-19 infection - a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss of smell or taste (anosmia) - must self-isolate and seek an urgent test.

"Confirmed cases must isolate for 10 days, with members of their household isolating for 14 days until the risk of passing on further infection has gone. Combined, these simple but effective actions will ensure the virus does not spread".