Seven new cases of coronavirus have today been confirmed in Powys by Public Health Wales.

There have now been 507 lab-confirmed cases of the virus in Powys since the outbreak of the pandemic, after the latest incidents were confirmed in the latest figures released today (Friday).

No more people in Powys have died from the virus, according to Public Health Wales, which puts the number of confirmed deaths of people due the virus at 15.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics, 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, stand at 95, where it has remained since mid-August.

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 507

New cases in October 2 data – seven

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to September 29 – 24.2

Powys position among Welsh local authorities for rate of new cases – 16th out of 22

The national picture

Across Wales, another 462 Covid-19 cases were confirmed in Friday's figures, meaning that 24,845 people are now known to have contracted the coronavirus since the pandemic began.

The latest figures, however, may understate the level of new cases as some test results have been delayed.

There were three newly-reported deaths, meaning the number of people to have died with confirmed cases of coronavirus at 1,625 in Wales.

New local lockdown measures come into force in Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham on Thursday evening.

Public Health Wales' statement

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales supports the amendment to the local lockdown restrictions where households that include only one adult can now form a bubble with people from one other household in their lockdown area.

“The new coronavirus restrictions in four local authority areas in North Wales – Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham – began yesterday.

“These arrangements are necessary in order to bring transmission of the virus under control in these areas. It is very important that we abide by the regulations in the areas in which we live and that we do not travel between local authority areas without a reasonable excuse.

“We thank the public in advance for sticking to these new restrictions, which are essential in reducing spread of the virus, protecting older and vulnerable people, and keeping Wales safe.

“Following the introduction of restrictions in the borough of Caerphilly, our data is beginning to show a downward trend, and although we cannot categorically say this trend is a result of lockdown, we are cautiously optimistic and we are looking at a number of alternative sources to validate these results.

“We remind people living in areas of Wales where there are currently no restrictions in place to remember, at all times, the importance of adhering to the regulations to prevent further local restrictions.

“The new restrictions mean that people living in the affected areas will not be allowed to enter or leave their local authority area without a reasonable excuse.

“They will not be able to meet indoors with anyone they do not live with for the time being – extended households (sometimes called a ‘bubble’) are suspended for the time being.

“Pubs, restaurants and other licensed premises must stop selling alcohol at 10pm, and offer table service only. Off licenses, including supermarkets and other retail outlets, must also stop selling alcohol at 10pm.

“People who can work from home must do so. Those who cannot reasonably work from home can continue to travel to a place of work, whether that is within our outside the areas affected by local restrictions."