Cases of COVID-19 in North West Wales continues to rise according to the latest update from Public Health Wales. In Conwy 8 new cases were recorded along with 9 in Denbighshire.

Overall across North Wales there have been 34 new cases out of 166 recorded across Wales during the past 24 hours.

The past fortnight has seen a noticeable increase in local cases with 432 tests returning postive in Conwy and 455 in Denbighshire since the pandemic began.

Sadly 9 more deaths have been reported as the death toll now stands at 1,247.

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

“Public Health Wales has been working in partnership with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics on new Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody tests. In South Wales production is now well underway on the tests, which can detect antibodies that can be used to identify an immune response and may be critical in back-to-work strategies.

“Antibody testing is an important part of our strategy to counter the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to help us understand who has had the disease. Knowing that the production of the test will be local to us in Wales was of great importance to us as we determined which suppliers to rely on.

“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.

“New guidance on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms has also recently been issued from the four UK Chief Medical Officers. All individuals should self-isolate if they develop at least one of the following coronavirus symptoms: a new continuous cough or fever or loss of smell or taste (anosmia).

“Anosmia is the loss or a change in your normal sense of smell. It can also affect your sense of taste as the two are closely linked.

"The individual’s household should self-isolate for 14 days as per the current guidelines and the individual should stay at home for seven days, or longer if they still have symptoms other than cough or loss of sense of smell or taste.