There have been no new deaths from COVID-19 once again in Wales. However 21 new cases of the virus have been reported.

All North Wales local authority areas reported new cases in the past 24 hours with the exception of Flintshire.

Anglesey, Flintshire and Gwynedd reported 2 new cases each with one new case in both Conwy and Wrexham.

Dr Christopher Williams, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:

“Public Health Wales welcomes the 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.

“The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has paused his advice to shield as the prevalence rate of the coronavirus in our communities has reduced. This means that, as of Sunday 16 August, people no longer need to shield.

“Following confirmation by the Welsh Government that the essential travel restriction on public transport was been lifted on Monday, 17 August, we are reminding people of the need to act responsibility when using public transport.  

“This includes planning journeys to avoid busy periods if possible, washing or sanitising hands at the start and end of each trip, and wearing face coverings.

“From 22 August, providing conditions remain stable, up to four households will be able to join together to form a single extended household, and a meal following a wedding, civil partnership or funeral will be allowed for up to 30 people indoors providing social distancing can be maintained. 

“We welcome the amendments to regulations making it obligatory for hospitality businesses and other settings to collect contact details of customers from next week. This information is essential for Wales’ Test, Trace, Protect strategy for testing the general public and preventing the spread of coronavirus. 

“We would remind the general public that as of Saturday 16 August anyone who arrives in Wales from Aruba, France, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands and Turks and Caicos, or who has visited or made a transit stop in any of those countries or territories, will be required to isolate for 14 days. 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.