POWYS has recorded the joint lowest number of coronavirus cases across Wales in the last 24 hours, with just two new positive results in the county.

That is the same amount as Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen, with the total number of positive cases in the county now up to 4,110 on a day First Minister Mark Drakeford announced new measures for the nation to continue to open back up over the coming weeks and months.

This includes outdoor hospitality venues possibly being allowed to reopen by April 26, while travel into and out of Wales from the rest of the UK and Common Travel Area can go ahead from April 12.

The number of deaths in Powys remains at 64, according to Public Health Wales (PHW) figures, although that number has jumped from 253 to 262 in the last 24 hours according to more accurate Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

Powys Teaching Health Board announced earlier this week that it is set to reach the milestone of 100,000 vaccine doses delivered in the county by the end of this week.

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 4,110

New cases in April 1 data – 2

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to March 27 – 13.6

Powys position among Welsh local authorities for rate of new cases – joint 20th out of 22

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Thursday, April 1 – 2

Wednesday, March 31 – 1

Tuesday, March 30 – 3

Monday, March 29 – 1

Saturday / Sunday, March 27/28 – 4

Friday, March 26 – 1

Thursday, March 25 – 7

The national picture:

Two further deaths have been reported in Wales in the past 24 hours.

It means the total number of deaths reported to PHW since the pandemic stands at 5,509.

The two latest death were reported by Betsi Cadwaladr health board area, which covers the whole of north Wales.

Partying indoors and people popping in and out of each other's homes have led to a spike in Covid cases in Swansea, meanwhile.

More than 50 cases in the Clase area have been linked to mixing indoors. At least a quarter out of 185 cases in the city have been linked to the area.

Following the Welsh Government’s latest briefing earlier today (Thursday, April 1) the following things will be permitted provided cases remain low:

Monday, April 12

• Travel into and out of Wales from the rest of the UK and Common Travel Area

Students return to face-to-face education

• All remaining non-essential retail and close contact services, like beauty salons, allowed to reopen

Monday, April 26

• Outdoor hospitality, including cafes, pubs and restaurants

• Outdoor attractions, including funfairs and theme parks

Monday, May 3

• Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people

• Outdoor wedding receptions attended by no more than 30 people

Monday, May 10

• People will be allowed to form extended households again, allowing two households to meet and have contact indoors

• Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities can reopen. Individual and one-to-one training will be allowed, but not exercise classes

Monday, May 17

• Children's indoor activities

• Community centres

• Organised indoor activities for adults, limited to a maximum of 15 people. This includes exercise classes

• Consider enabling indoor hospitality and remaining visitor accommodation to reopen in advance of the Spring Bank Holiday

Public Health Wales' statement:

Dr Robin Howe, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The Welsh Government has announced a series of measures over the coming months which will take Wales into Alert Level 3 by May 17, subject to the public health conditions remaining favourable.

“On April 12, all children will return to face to face education, all post-16 learners will return to further education, and training centres and university campuses will be able to open for blended face to face learning for all students.

“On the same day, all remaining shops can reopen, and all close contact services including mobile services can resume.

“In addition, travel restrictions on travelling into and out of Wales will be lifted. However, restrictions on travel to countries outside the Common Travel Area without a reasonable excuse, remain in place.

“Also on April 12, viewings at wedding venues can resume by appointment, and outdoor canvassing for elections can begin.

“This slight easing of Covid lockdown rules is encouraging, however while the number of cases is declining overall, there are still several areas which have significantly higher rates.

“Ahead of the Easter weekend we remind the general public that it is very important that everyone remembers that coronavirus has not gone away and that there is still a large number of people who have not been vaccinated. It is therefore vital that we all maintain constant vigilance, by practising

hand hygiene, keeping two metres apart from people that you don’t live with, and wearing a mask in indoor environments.

“Welsh Government restrictions state that you should not go into any other household or mix indoors with other people who you don’t live with.”