THERE have been another 29 positive cases of coronavirus reported in Powys in the last 24 hours, and another person has died.

Positive cases in Powys surpassed 2,000 on Monday and today’s figures take the total number of positive cases to 2,331 since the pandemic began.

The one further death took the number of total deaths in the county to 34, according to Public Health Wales (PHW) stats, but that figure stands at 134 according to more accurate Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

Deaths of Powys residents can be skewed as many of the county’s patients deemed acute are transferred to hospitals in England. ONS figures are therefore usually 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.

There was criticism, meanwhile, for Mid Wales residents and beyond over the weekend after crowds flocked to the Brecon Beacons on Monday, December 28, as snow fell in the region.

Cars filled a car park below Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain, as much of the country was put on alert for snow.

Wales' alert level four restrictions only allow travel if it is essential. Dr David Hepburn said he understands why people want to visit beauty spots but said it was against the rules.

Aled Davies, the deputy leader of Powys County Council and the leader of the Welsh Conservatives within the council, said that he was "not angry... just disappointed" to see people seemingly travelling to exercise in the Brecon Beacons.

Mr Davies told BBC Radio Wales: "I can understand why people want to get out into the fresh air but the rules are very, very clear around this.

"It is very clear and very simple and it is disappointing to see so many people travelling up to Pen Y Fan. Just stay at home and take exercise locally, it's so important."

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 2,331

New cases in December 29 data – 29

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to December 24 – 211

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

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Tuesday, December 29 – 29

Monday, December 28 – 39

Christmas period – 72

Thursday, December 24 – 34

Wednesday, December 23 – 45

Tuesday, December 22 – 38

The national picture:

A further 33 people have died after contracting coronavirus in Wales, taking the total to 3,416, according to the latest figures.

PHW) also reported a further 2,510 new cases across the country. It takes the number of positive tests to 144,425 since the pandemic began.

The Swansea Bay health board area recorded the highest number of new coronavirus-related deaths with 11. There were six in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area, five in Hywel Dda and four in Aneurin Bevan. Both the Betsi Cadwaladr and the Cardiff and Vale health board areas reported three and Powys reported one.

Wales brought forward its level four national lockdown by eight days to start on December 20.

A teachers' union wants to know if shutting schools early before Christmas did anything to bring down the Covid-19 transmission rate in Wales.

The Association of School and College Leaders Cymru (ASCLC) also called for quick action on plans for schooling if cases continued to rise in Wales with a new strain of the virus circulating.

Children are set to return to school in January on a staggered basis. The Welsh Government said it was closely monitoring transmission rates.

Public Health Wales' statement:

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We hope everyone has had a healthy and safe Christmas. The lockdown restrictions remain and we advise everyone to stay at home except for reasonable excuses, and to limit your social contacts.

“The Welsh Government has announced that the advice to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, previously ‘shielding’ has changed. Those people within this group should no longer attend work or school outside the home.

“Public Health Wales is working with the Welsh Government, local health boards, local authorities and other partners following the announcement of national restrictions in Wales from midnight on December 20.

“Under the new restrictions, people must stay at home, except for very limited purposes. People must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with. Non-essential retail, close contact services, gyms and leisure centres, and hospitality will be closed.

“As indicated by the Welsh Government, the immediate introduction of new restrictions is related to the identification of a new more transmissible variant of coronavirus. Public Health Wales has been working with UK partners to investigate and respond to this variant.

“It is normal for viruses to undergo mutations, and we expect this to happen. Although the variant is easier to transmit, there is currently no evidence that it is more severe.

“We are reminding people that all current guidance relating to coronavirus continues to apply to the new variant, including advice relating to symptoms, social distancing, self-isolation, and vaccination.”