THREE new positive cases of coronavirus have been discovered in Powys within the last 24 hours – with the total number of positive cases in the county now up to 4,124.

The number of deaths in Powys remains at 65, according to Public Health Wales (PHW) figures, with that number rising to 265 today – three more than yesterday – according to more accurate Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

Well over 100,000 people in Powys have now received vaccinations against Covid-19 – including 78,800 who have had their first jab. In total, 25,900 people have been fully vaccinated in the county.

Powys Teaching Health Board are now encouraging people aged between 30-39 and 18-29 to join their reserve lists to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.

There are currently two reserve lists – the primary list is for people aged 30-39 and the secondary list is for those aged 18-29.

Everyone aged 40 and over in Powys should have by now received their invitation for a jab, but if you have not received yours then the health board are asking you to complete a priority access form so that they can fast-track you to an appointment at one of their three mass vaccination centres – in Newtown, Builth Wells and Bronllys.

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 4,124

New cases in April 9 data – 3

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to April 4 – 8.3

Powys position among Welsh local authorities for rate of new cases – joint 14th out of 22

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Friday, April 9 – 3

Thursday, April 8 – 2

Wednesday, April 7 – 0

Monday/Tuesday, April 5/6 – 1

Easter weekend (April 3/4) – 4

Thursday, April 1 – 2

Tuesday, March 30 – 3

The national picture:

One more person in Wales has died due to the virus – taking the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 in Wales to 5,528.

There were 114 new cases reported today, with the cumulative Welsh total rising to 210,219. More than 1.5 million people have now had a first dose of the vaccine, with nearly half a million (498,318) having had a second jab too.

The easing of lockdown measures in Wales is to be accelerated, meanwhile, after case numbers in the country continued to fall.

People will be able to go to the gym and form an extended household a week earlier than originally planned – although those hoping for a quicker return to the pub must still wait until April 26 for beer gardens to reopen.

Cases in Wales have fallen to 21 per 100,000 people this week, prompting First Minister Mark Drakeford to announce the accelerated programme of reopening.

The news means:

*The planned date for organised outdoor activities and outdoor wedding receptions moves forward from May 3 to April 26.

*Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities will reopen from Monday, May 3, rather than May 10.

*Extended households can be formed, allowing two households to meet and have contact indoors from May 3, rather than May 10.

Public Health Wales' statement:

Dr Eleri Davies, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “As numbers continue to fall, we welcome the Welsh Government’s announcement that gyms and leisure centres will be able to open from May 3, while two households can bubble up to meet indoors from the same date. Wedding receptions outdoors for up to 30 people will be allowed from April 26, also moving forward a week.

From next Monday, April 12, a number of restrictions will be eased:

· All children will return to face to face education as well as all post-16 learners returning to further education. Training centres and university campuses will be able to open for blended face to face learning for all students.

· All remaining shops can reopen, and all close contact services including mobile services can resume

· Viewings at wedding venues can resume by appointment and outdoor canvassing for elections can begin

· 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

“As restrictions are eased we need your continued support to control the spread of coronavirus.

“This slight easing of Covid lockdown rules is encouraging, however while the number of cases is declining overall, we remind the general public that 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 keeping two metres apart from people that you don’t live with, practising hand hygiene and wearing a mask in indoor environments.”