TWO new positive coronavirus cases have been reported in Powys within the last 24 hours – taking the total number of Powys cases since the pandemic began to 4,137.

The rate of new cases per 100,000 in the week to April 6 in Powys is down to just 6.8 – only Monmouthshire (2.1) and Ceredigion (2.8) have lower rates among Wales’ 22 local authority areas.

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

The vaccination process in Powys continues to move ahead at an unerring pace – with more than two thirds of the county’s adult population having now had their first jab..

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 4,137

New cases in April 12 data – 2

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to April 6 – 6.8

Powys position among Welsh local authorities for rate of new cases – joint 12th out of 22

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Monday, April 12 - 2

Sunday, April 11 – 3

Saturday, April 10 – 8

Friday, April 9 – 3

Thursday, April 8 – 2

Wednesday, April 7 – 0

Monday/Tuesday, April 5/6 – 1

The national picture:

There have been no further deaths of people with Covid-19 reported by health chiefs in the past 24 hours.

It means the total number of deaths reported remains at 5,531. Two of the deaths were reported in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board area in north Wales and the other was in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area, which covers Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend.

A further 53 positive tests were reported, taking the total number of cases to 210,447. Wales' case rate now stands at 18 per 100,000 people.

A total of 1,587,851 people have had a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 528,199 have had both doses.

Public Health Wales' statement:

Dr Christopher Williams, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: "From this Monday 12 April 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 numbers continue to fall, we welcome Welsh Government’s announcement that gyms and leisure centres will be able to open from 3 May - instead of 10 May - 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 26 April, also moving forward a week.

Current information on the Welsh Government restrictions for Coronavirus are available here:https://gov.wales/coronavirus

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

“As schools return please do not send your child to school if they are unwell, even if you are not sure if they have Coronavirus.

“When you take your child to school, always keep your distance from other parents, wear a face covering, and don’t stay around and chat. Please don’t invite other children or their parents to your home to play or stay indoors, even if they are in the same bubble at school. We need to continue to limit the numbers of people we meet socially to minimise spread of the virus.

“Please continue to work from home if at all possible.

“This slight easing of Coronavirus 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, practicing hand hygiene, 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. Currently a maximum of six people from two households can meet outdoors, including in private gardens.

“This week the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provided an update on the Oxford AstraZenca vaccine following reports of an extremely rare and specific type of blood clot following vaccination.

“The AstraZeneca vaccine remains safe and effective and has already saved thousands of lives. Those who have received a first dose of the vaccine, should continue to receive a second dose.

“The risk benefit remains strongly in favour of vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine for those aged 30 and over, and those aged under 30 who have underlying health conditions which puts them at higher risk of severe outcomes from Coronavirus infection. However, adults aged 18-29 years old who do not have underlying health conditions will now be offered an alternative vaccine."