TWENTY two new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Powys today (Tuesday, November 3).

The total number of lab-confirmed cases of the virus in Powys since the outbreak of the pandemic now stands at 937. No more deaths have been recorded, meaning the total number of people to have died from Covid-19 in the county remains at 19.

Public Health Wales' figures mostly involve hospital deaths and only include cases when the virus has been confirmed in a laboratory test. The figures do not include deaths of residents from Powys in hospitals in England, although these are included in Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

ONS figures, 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 96 in Powys.

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 937

New cases in November 3 data – 22

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to October 27 – 101.2

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

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Tuesday, November 3 – 22

Monday, November 2 – 25

Sunday, November 1 – 26

Saturday, October 31 – 21

Friday, October 30 – 25

Thursday, October 29 – 21

Wednesday, October 28 – 47

The national picture:

Tuesday’s figures reveal that four more people have died with coronavirus – meaning a total of 1,895 people have died in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

There have been 65 deaths involving Covid-19 in Wales registered for the latest week, according to the ONS. This is a further rise on the 47 deaths reported the previous week and is the highest since June.

There have been another 30 deaths linked to Covid-19 infections caught inside four hospitals, Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board has reported. It takes to 99 the total number of deaths due to the outbreaks, with 51 coming at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

It comes as the NHS Wales chief executive said stopping coronavirus from spreading in hospitals was “incredibly difficult”.

There are now 469 cases linked to outbreaks at the health board.

Earlier, Dr Andrew Goodall, the NHS Wales boss, said there were nearly 200 cases of hospital-acquired coronavirus in the last week in Wales.

They amounted to one in 40 of the total confirmed cases, he told a press conference.

There are 1,275 Covid-related patients in hospital, only 9 per cent lower than the April peak.

A total of 54,456 cases have now been confirmed in Wales, 1,119 of which are new today.

It comes after Monday’s announcement from First Minister Mark Drakeford that a string of new rules will come into place in Wales once the current “firebreak” lockdown period ends next Monday, November 9.

These include two households in Wales will now be able to form a bubble and meet at home.

There will be no travel restrictions within Wales, but people will not be able to leave the country except for essential purposes such as work during England's four-week lockdown. People living in Wales will be allowed to go on holiday in Wales.

People who live and work on different sides of the Wales-England border will still be able to travel between the two nations.

All businesses that were closed throughout the firebreak will be able to reopen, but it remains unclear under what terms pubs and restaurants will be allowed to reopen. Rules for the hospitality industry are being given further consideration.

Groups of 15 will be allowed to meet for organised indoors activities. Outdoors, 30 people will be able to meet for organised activities under the rules, which will be reviewed in a fortnight.

Public Health Wales' statement:

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Although national and local measures have made a difference, further action is needed. Cases continue to rise in Wales, hospital admissions are increasing, including those into critical care, and sadly so are the numbers of people dying from the virus.”

“Face coverings continue to be mandatory in the indoor public spaces that remain open, subject to certain exemptions and exceptions, including on public transport and in taxis.

“More information about the new rules is available at the Welsh Government website.”