In the latest 24 hour update from Public Health Wales, 42 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported across Wales. There have also been 10 new deaths.

In a pattern seen over the past few days, half of these new cases are in North Wales. However the numbers being reported do appear to be falling.

However local residents are being asked to remain vigilant and aware of the risks the virus poses with Denbighshire and Conwy experiencing worse infection rates than other parts of Wales. Denbighshire's infection rate remains one of the highest not just in Wales but in the whole of the UK with 683 cases per 100,000 of the population.

The average in North Wales is 423 per 100,000 of population and this average has increased during the past fortnight.

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

“On Friday, our data dashboard was updated to include the number of deaths reported in Wales by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).  Because this data is reported weekly by the ONS, it will be updated on our dashboard on a weekly basis on Fridays.

“Public Health Wales welcomes increased testing resulting from Welsh participation in the UK-wide system. Since Thursday 4 June, Public Health Wales has been reporting the number of tests for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) undertaken on Welsh residents in Non-NHS Wales laboratories.

“Public Health Wales is currently undertaking work to review this data and determine how this links with our existing data from tests undertaken in NHS laboratories in Wales.  Whilst this work is ongoing, these figures have not been incorporated into any other outputs including the headline number of cases. 

“Contact tracing continues in Wales as part of the Welsh Government’s ‘Test, Trace, Protect’ strategy.  Contact tracing is the process of identifying people who have come in contact with an individual with Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in order to prevent the risk of others spreading the infection in our communities. 

“Anyone who has a positive Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) 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.

“Please keep a note of your activities so you can easily remember your whereabouts on a given day, along with who were in contact with.  This is for everyone’s benefit and we are grateful for your continued cooperation.

“If you are asked to self-isolate, you should also comply with this request to prevent further spread of the virus.

“You do not need to have any concerns about providing names to the tracing team.  Tracers are trained staff and personal information that you provide will handled in line with data protection regulations and will not be shared widely.

“Over the last few weeks, Public Health Wales has been setting up the methods and guidance for how contact tracing will operate.  We will continue to work closely to support local health boards and local authorities in delivering contact tracing.

“The Welsh Government’s revised lockdown arrangements also continue. People from two different households in the same local area can meet up outdoors, provided they continue to maintain social distancing and strict hand hygiene. 

“The announcement adds that, as a general rule, people should not travel more than five miles from home. This will help to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading as people begin to travel more. 

“Revised lockdown arrangements also apply to people in Wales who have been told to ‘shield’ from the virus.  They are able to go outside and meet people from another household, provided they keep a two-metre distance.

“Future relaxation of lockdown measures will also be dependent on everyone following advice set out in the ‘Test, Trace, Protect’ strategy, including self-isolating when required.

“Information about the symptoms of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) to look out for is available on the Public Health Wales website, or members of the public can use the NHS Wales symptom checker.

“Anyone experiencing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms can now apply for a home testing kit using the new UK online portal.  For further information and a link to the booking website, visit: www.gov.wales/coronavirus or www.llyw.cymru/coronafeirws. This will be supported by a national 119 phone service, through which people can also order a home test.