Nearly a quarter of new cases reported across Wales in the past 24 hours have come from Conwy and Denbighshire as the COVID-19 crisis continues.

In a sharp increase particularly witnessed during the past fortnight North Wales is held up as Covid-19 hotspot with new cases continuing to dominate the headlines.

In 24 hours, 110 new cases were reported with 7 in Conwy and 20 in Denbighshire. New cases in the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board region account for just under 44% of the 110 cases reported in Wales.

Sadly in past 24 hours another 14 deaths have occurred contributing to a tally of 1,238 deaths from people reported to have tested positive for the virus.

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

“Public Health Wales welcomes the recent announcement by the Health Minister of the extension of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing to all care home residents and staff.

“In conjunction with the Welsh Government’s ‘Test, Trace, Protect’ strategy published earlier this month, Public Health Wales will continue to work in partnership with our communities, the Welsh Government, the wider NHS and local government in Wales to focus on protecting the health of the people of Wales as we support the implementation of the strategy."