New coronavirus cases recorded in three areas of North Wales, according to government figures

There have been 34 new cases of coronavirus recorded across Wales in the past 24 hours, according to figures released by Public Health Wales today (August 22).

The country-wide death toll remains at 1,589 after no further fatalities were recorded.

Of these, 415 are in North Wales, which posted eight new positive tests over the last 24 hours.

New cases have been recorded in Flintshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which accounts for around 22 per cent of the Welsh population, has the highest death toll in Wales.

Public Health Wales says 304,352 individuals have been tested with 286,645 negative results.

The total number of people who have tested positive in Wales is now 17,707 although the true number is likely to be much higher.

Speaking today (August 22), Dr Christopher Williams, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “[We welcome] the announcement by Welsh Government of further easing of lockdown measures from today, enabling up to four households to join together in an extended household. 

“This means that families and friends will be able to reunite, and will also help with caring arrangements. 

“It is important to remember that if one person develops symptoms then everyone in the extended household arrangement will need to self-isolate in line with the Welsh Government guidance.

“In addition, up to 30 people will be able to meet for a meal following a wedding, civil partnership or funeral, providing social distancing measures are maintained.

“Public Health Wales also welcomes the recent announcement of £32m investment from Welsh Government in our laboratory service.

“This will allow the service to undergo a major transformation which will significantly increase its COVID-19 testing capacity, speed up testing turnaround times and allow regional labs to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The funding will also see the creation of six Hot Labs at hospitals across Wales, and will create up to 160 new jobs in the sector.  More information can be found here.

“Advice on travelling abroad, including the latest information on quarantine requirements on returning home, can be found on the FCO website. 

“Anyone with suspected symptoms of COVID-19 infection – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss of smell or taste (anosmia) – must self-isolate and seek an urgent test.

“Confirmed cases must isolate for 10 days, with members of their household isolating for 14 days until the risk of passing on further infection has gone. Combined, these simple but effective actions will ensure the virus does not spread.”

Here is the full list of coronavirus cases across Wales

Betsi Cadwaladr:  Eight new cases – total 4,787

Anglesey: No new cases – total 466

Conwy: No new cases – total 730

Denbighshire: No new cases – total 818

Flintshire: One new case – total 764

Gwynedd: Five new case – total 624

Wrexham: Two new cases – total 1,395

For the rest of the country:

Aneurin Bevan:  Two new cases – total 2,780

Cardiff and Vale:  18 new cases – total 3,193

Cwm Taf: Five new cases – total 3,059

Hywel Dda:  No new cases – total 1,209

Powys:  No new cases – total 368

Swansea Bay:  One new case – total 2,030

Unknown:  No new cases – total 143

Contact tracing and general information

• Contact tracing continues as part of the Welsh Government’s Test, Trace, Protect strategy. Anyone who has a positive Coronavirus test will be contacted by a team of contact tracers, and asked for details of everyone they have had close contact with while they have had symptoms.
• Keep a note of your activities so you can easily remember your whereabouts on a given day, along with who you were in contact with. 
• If you are asked to self-isolate, you should do so to prevent further spread of the virus.
• Tracers are trained staff and personal information that you provide will handled in line with data protection regulations and will not be shared widely.
• Information about the symptoms of Coronavirus is available on the Public Health Wales website, or via the NHS 111 Wales symptom checker.
• Anyone experiencing Coronavirus symptoms can apply for a home testing kit by visiting  www.gov.wales/coronavirus, or by calling the national 119 phone service.
• Anyone with suspected coronavirus should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.
• Only call 999 if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, do not call 999 just because you are on hold to 111.
• Public Health Wales’ user-friendly data dashboard takes information from a range of different sources. The total number of positive cases now includes those reported from non-NHS Wales laboratories, which are subject to ongoing de-duplication, refinement and reconciliation. This may result in fluctuation of the total positive cases as this process takes place.