Many more cases of COVID-19 have been reported for Tuesday and hospitalisations are increasing according to the latest figures from Public Health Wales. One new death has also been recorded.

The news comes on the eve on a major announcement from Welsh Government about the lifting of final restrictions in Wales.

737 cases have recorded across the country including 244 in North Wales. By area the breakdown is as follows:

Wrexham 65, Flintshire 64, Denbighshire 43, Conwy 36, Gwynedd 20 and Anglesey 16.

Currently the infection rate in Wales in the last 7 days has increased to 138.3 per 100,000 of population which is up from earlier this week.

As a result of Wales' successful vaccination programme, Welsh Government is expected to say on Wednesday that the country will move towards lifting the majority of restrictions which are still in place.

However as a result of increased cases and worries on the potential pressure to the NHS in Wales, the government has said that a complete abandonment of the rules were unlikely.

"What it will not be a wholesale abandonment of the collective actions that we have taken during the pandemic and which will keep Wales safe" said First Minister Mark Drakeford.

The First Minister's statement hints that social distancing and face coverings may remain part of life in Wales from some time to come.

The UK Government says it remains committed to "Freedom Day" despite some crititism from some experts.

Scotland's rules will ease from July 19 but have insisted that face coverings will be compulsory for "some time to come".