THE First Minister has addressed rumours of the introduction of a curfew amidst lockdown extension.

At the Welsh Government press conference on January 8, the First Minister was asked about the potential for increased measures - including a curfew.

He said the impact of the lockdown, been in place since December 20, means numbers have come down.

He said whilst measures are succeeding, it is not expected to move the country into a higher level.

However 'if that were to reverse' and the new strain brought numbers up again, other options would have to be discussed.

Mr Drakeford did stress that there are no plans to bring in a curfew in Wales.

He told the nation that if the current strengthened levels of restrictions were not successful, then they have 'not exhausted' measures they could take.

He said they were able to strengthen the current levels and hopes by doing so, they will see further progress in suppressing the virus in the weeks ahead.

Mr Drakeford said immediate action was taken in December due to the increasing levels of the virus, and the rest of the UK has since followed.

The new strain has taken a 'firm foothold' in North Wales where cases are rising rapidly and it is expected the new strain will become the dominant form of virus in South Wales.

Mr Drakeford said there has been a fall in rates since before Christmas and lockdown was introduced, but over last few days that fall has stalled and rates are 'creeping up again'.

There is no evidence that the new strain causes a more serious illness, but it is adding to pressure on the NHS.

More than 2,700 coronavirus-related patients are being cared for in hospital and over 140 people in critical care, which has reached the highest point of the pandemic.