Twelve more new cases of coronavirus have today been confirmed in Powys by Public Health Wales – the county's highest increase in new cases in a month.

There have now been 544 lab-confirmed cases of the virus in Powys since the outbreak of the pandemic, after the latest incidents were confirmed in the figures released today (Wednesday, October 7).

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.

The county's infection rate now appears to have passed 25 cases per 100,000 people – the trigger point at which the Welsh Government is thought to start monitoring the advance of the virus, but still well below the level at which a local lockdown is imposed.

11 of the new cases in Powys were from October 5, bringing the total for that day to 13 - the most in one day since 22 cases were recorded amid increased testing in Welshpool around the Sidoli factory on September 7.

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 544

New cases in October 7 data – 12

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to October 5 – 31

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

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day

Thursday, October 8 – 12

Wednesday, October 7 – 8

Tuesday October 6 – 3

Monday, October 5 – 7

Sunday, October 4 – 2 plus 1 delayed cases

The national picture

Across Wales, another 638 Covid-19 cases were confirmed in Wednesday's figures, meaning that 28,262 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 was one newly-reported deaths, meaning the number of people to have died with confirmed cases of coronavirus remains at 1,644 in Wales.

Public Health Wales' statement

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Please don’t delay in booking a test if you or a member of your household develop symptoms, however mild such as a cough, fever or change in sense of taste or smell. You must book a test for Coronavirus promptly to help control the spread of infection. Visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119. Tests are free, there is no charge.

“You and your household must self-isolate while waiting for the result of your test, and comply with any restrictions in the event of a positive result. If you test positive for Coronavirus should continue to self-isolate for 10 days. Other household members, including those who do not have any symptoms, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.

“Even if you don’t have symptoms, you may also be contacted by contact tracers as part of the Welsh Government’s Test, Trace, Protect strategy. In this event, you must comply with their instructions. Tracers are trained staff and personal information that you provide will handled in line with data protection regulations and will not be shared widely. Please keep a note of your activities so you can easily remember your whereabouts on a given day, along with who you were in contact with.

“Local restrictions are now in place in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, and Wrexham local authority areas, and in Llanelli.

“People who live in these areas must abide by these restrictions to protect themselves, their families, friends, older and vulnerable people, and keep Wales safe. For more information about restrictions in your area, visit the Welsh Government website."