There have been 24 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Powys today – the highest one-day increase in new cases in a week.

The latest new instances take the overall total number of confirmed cases in the county since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,393.

The increase also comes on the back of several days of case numbers being closer to 10, and is the highest one-day rise since last Thursday when 37 new cases were found.

One more person has also been confirmed to have died with the disease, meaning 29 people have now been known to have died with coronavirus, according to Public Health Wales data.

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 102 in Powys.

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 1,393

New cases in November 25 data – 24

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to November 23 – 82.3

Powys position among Welsh local authorities for rate of new cases – 18th out of 22

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Thursday, November 26 – 24

Wednesday, November 25 – 11

Tuesday, November 24 – 9

Monday, November 23 – 9

Saturday/Sunday, November 21/22 – 26

Friday, November 20 – 15

Thursday, November 19 – 37

The national picture:

Another 28 people have died with coronavirus in Wales, taking the total to 2,474, according to latest figures.

Public Health Wales data also showed 1,251 more people have tested positive for Covid-19, making a total of 75,986.

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 notes the decision of the four nations of the UK regarding the relaxation of restrictions over the Christmas period, enabling up to three households to meet.

“The festive period is important for people across Wales who want to be with loved ones during the holidays, particularly after a very difficult year, but we would remind everyone that we must each continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of the virus and protect our loved ones, particularly if they are vulnerable or extremely vulnerable. For many, this will mean that it isn’t possible to celebrate Christmas in the way you normally would.

“Public Health Wales is encouraging everyone who lives, works or studies in Merthyr Tydfil to attend the mass testing service at the Leisure Centre as soon as they can – even if they do not have symptoms.

“Thank you to those who have already attended and undertaken a test, as this will help us to break the chains of transmission in the area. However, in order for the exercise to be as successful as possible then we need as many people in the area as possible to be tested."