SEVEN positive tests for coronavirus have been recorded in Powys in the last 24 hours as cases across Wales continue to reduce.

Public Health Wales (PHW) figures state that 59 people in Powys have died as a result of Covid-19, though that figure remains at 224 according to more accurate Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

Deaths of Powys residents are typically skewed because 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.

The total number of positive cases in Powys now stands at 3,972 since the start of the pandemic.

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 3,972

New cases in March 3 data – 7

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to February 25 – 62.7

Powys position among Welsh local authorities for rate of new cases – joint 15th out of 22

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Wednesday, March 3 - 7

Tuesday, March 2 – 5

Monday, March 1 – 8

Saturday/Sunday, February 27/28 – 27

Friday, February 26 – 17

Thursday, February 25 – 15

The national picture:

Covid-19 has claimed 12 more lives in Wales, taking the total number of Covid-related deaths reported by PHW since the start of the pandemic to 5,356.

There were 208 new cases of the virus reported today.

A total of 942,017 people in Wales have now received their first coronavirus vaccination. A total of 124,781 have received their second dose of vaccine.

Public Health Wales' statement:

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:

“The weekly incidence of COVID-19 infections in all local authority areas throughout Wales has fallen below 100 cases per 100,000 population, although there are a small number of areas which have an incidence rate of above 80. This is encouraging, but we must continue following the rules and guidelines to maintain this trend.

“It was one year ago on Sunday, 28 February 2020, that the first case of Coronavirus was announced in Wales. I am pleased to report that one year later, as of Saturday 27 February 2021, Wales has now delivered more than 1 million first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccinations.

“The public should be aware that the level 4 restrictions remain in place in order to keep infection rates falling and that you should stay at home, meet only the people you live with, work from home if you can, wear a face covering where required, wash your hands regularly and stay 2 metres from anyone you do not live with.

“We remind everyone that four people from two different households are now able to meet outdoors for socially distanced local exercise. However, please remember this is solely for the purpose of exercise and that individuals should remain at a social distance, and that this guidance doesn’t apply to private gardens.

“Coronavirus cases by variant in Wales are reported on the UK Government website. The dominant strain in Wales is the Kent variant, and there is currently no evidence of widespread community transmission of other Variants of Concern in Wales.”

“Welsh Government has announced that the revised vaccine strategy will mean that every eligible adult in Wales will be offered a first dose by the end of July. In addition, adults with severe or profound learning disabilities, and those with any mental illness that causes severe functional impairment, will be invited for vaccination as part of the JCVI priority group six, and Welsh Government has published guidance on identifying eligible individuals in these groups and how to support them to take up their vaccine offers.