October 20, 2020 - 838 views
New cases of COVID-19 are at the highest level ever seen in Wales. In the past day 1,148 new cases were reported including 10 deaths.
The volume of infections in the country are reflected by Welsh Government's strategy to bring Wales into a 'circuit-breaker' lockdown on Friday from 6pm.
South Wales saw many more new cases with 225 in Cardiff and 150 in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
In North Wales 205 new cases were highlighted including 66 in Wrexham and 49 in Flintshire. In the last week, Wrexham reported 273 new cases and has 200.8 cases per 100,000 per popuation against the North Wales average of 132.2.
Conwy had 28 cases, 23 in Gwynedd, 22 in Denbighshire and 17 in Anglesey.
Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:
“Public Health Wales supports yesterday’s announcement by the Welsh Government of a two-week national ‘fire-break’ to disrupt the transmission of Coronavirus in Wales. These new restrictions will come into effect at 6pm on Friday 23 October, and will last until the start of Monday 9 November.
“Cases continue to rise in Wales, hospital admissions are increasing, including those into critical care, and sadly so are the numbers of people dying from the virus.
“Although national and local measures have made a difference, further action is now needed. These new rules are vital to regain control of the virus, to protect the NHS, and save lives.
“Under the rules announced yesterday, people must stay at home, except for very limited purposes. They must not visit other households or meet other people they do not live with.
“Certain businesses and venues, including bars, restaurants and most shops must close.
“Secondary schools will provide learning online only for the week after half-term, other than for children in years seven and eight. Primary schools and childcare settings will remain open.
“Face coverings continue to be mandatory in the indoor public spaces that remain open, subject to certain exemptions and exceptions, including on public transport and in taxis."
