THERE have been 12 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Powys by Public Health Wales on Sunday (October 18).

The total number of lab-confirmed cases of the virus in Powys since the outbreak of the pandemic now stands at 645, with Public Health Wales confirming the 12 new cases overnight – it is the fifth day in the last six that Powys has broken into double figures for cases recorded.

There were 19 cases reported on Wednesday, with 11 the previous day and 10 on Thursday, with 10 reported yesterday. The only day the figure dipped below 10 was on Friday, when nine cases were reported.

There remain no more deaths in Powys, with the number of confirmed deaths of people due to Covid-19 in the county remaining at 15.

PHW's figures mostly involve hospital deaths and only include cases when the virus has been confirmed in a laboratory test. The figures do not include deaths of residents from Powys in hospitals in England, although these are included in Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

Figures from the ONS, 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, stand at 95 in Powys, where it has remained since mid-August.

The county's infection rate now appears to have passed 25 cases per 100,000 people – the trigger point at which the Welsh Government is thought to start monitoring the advance of the virus, but still well below the level at which a local lockdown is imposed.

Powys stats:

Confirmed cases – 645

New cases in October 18 data – 12

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to October 13 – 52.9

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

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day:

Saunday, October 18 – 12

Saturday, October 17 – 10

Friday, October 16 – 9

Thursday, October 15 – 10

Wednesday, October 14 – 19

Tuesday, October 13 – 11

Monday, October 12 – 5

Sunday, October 11 – 9

The national picture:

The latest figures reveal that three more people have died with coronavirus and 950 people have tested positive – and come on a day when a leaked letter indicated that a 17-day “circuit breaker” lockdown will be triggered by the Welsh Government next Friday.

The Welsh Government is due to announce a decision on whether to impose a national lockdown on Monday, October 19, but details have been outlined in a letter to transport operators from John Pockett, director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru.

The letter, published on Twitter by political blogger Bubble Wales on Saturday, says the circuit breaker will start at 6pm on Friday, October 23, and last until 0.01am on Monday, November 9.

In Wales, 17 out of 22 local authority areas are under local lockdown and the Welsh Government has banned visitors from tier 2 and 3 areas of England, Wales and Northern Ireland,  which came into effect on Friday.

Meanwhile, an industry body on Saturday said that Wales' tourism sector faces “very dark days”, with firms closing and hotels “mothballed” amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) said a Covid resurgence meant hopes of making up for several “lost months2 had faded.

But some in the sector said it could be a chance to attract new visitors and improve sustainability.

The Welsh Government said a £1.7bn support package had helped and it was committed to delivering sustainability.

“If things pick up and businesses do make it through, then I think we're very well-placed to pick up customers that would normally have gone overseas,” said Adrian Greason-Walker of the WTA, which represents thousands of firms.

“However, we've probably had five weeks of trade this year instead of what would normally be 20 solid weeks over the summer. At the moment things are dark.”

There have been 1,711 deaths reported to PHW since the start of the pandemic.

Public Health Wales' statement:

The message from PHW on Sunday was exactly the same as it has been all week, with Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the Covid-19 outbreak response at Public Health Wales, saying: “Cases of Coronavirus continue to rise in all parts of Wales, including in areas where local restrictions are in place.

“The public health message has not changed and is as important as ever; it is vital that people in every part of Wales stick to social distancing guidelines, that’s staying two metres away from others, avoiding socialising with people outside your household, and washing hands regularly.  They must also self-isolate immediately when asked to do so.

“Local restrictions are now in place in Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, and Wrexham local authority areas, and in the hyperlocal areas of Bangor and Llanelli.

“People who live in these areas must abide by these restrictions to protect themselves, their families, friends, older and vulnerable people, and keep Wales safe. For more information about restrictions in your area, visit the Welsh Government website.”