Coronavirus infection rates, cases and deaths for all parts of Wales on Saturday, December 5

A further 24 people have died with coronavirus in Wales and more than 1, 600 new positive cases have been confirmed.

The latest statistics released by Public Health Wales (PHW) on Saturday show 1,645 people have tested positive for the virus in Wales in the last reporting period.

It brings the number of positive tests since the outbreak began to 87,077 while 2,695 people have died with lab-confirmed coronavirus in Wales.

The infection rate across Wales as a whole now stands at 262.3 per 100,000 people based on the seven days up to November 30. This is an increase from 252.7 on Friday.

Neath Port Talbot is now the local authority with the highest infection rate in Wales with a seven day rate of 509.4 per 100,000 population, a leap from 464 the day before.

Blaenau Gwent now has the second highest rate, with 478.1 cases per 100,000 population, down from 502.4 on Friday.

Merthyr Tydfil is in third, with 421 cases per 100,000 population, up from 394.5 on Friday.

Cardiff has the highest number of new cases with 242, followed by Swansea on 190, Rhondda Cynon Taf with 149 and Neath Port Talbot with 139.

There are 134 new cases in Newport, 111 in Caerphilly, 92 in Bridgend and 82 in Carmarthenshire.

Cases per 100,000 for rolling seven days (November 26 to December 2)

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Blaenau Gwent: 478.1 (down from 502.4)

Torfaen: 371.4 ( down from 402.3)

Newport: 352.2 (up from 333.6)

Caerphilly: 341.8 (up from 324.7)

Monmouthshire: 245.3 (up from 223.1)

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Wrexham: 200.8 (down from 206.7)

Flintshire: 119.2 (remained the same)

Anglesey: 77.1 (down from 84.2)

Denbighshire: 72.1 (down from 78.4)

Conwy: 46.1 (up from 40.1)

Gwynedd: 39.3 (up from 35.3)

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Cardiff: 287.3 (up from 263.8)

Vale of Glamorgan: 204.4 (up from 202.1)

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Merthyr Tydfil: 421 (up from 394.5)

Rhondda Cynon Taf: 368.5 (up from 365.6)

Bridgend: 280.2 (up from 255)

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Carmarthenshire: 243.2 (up from 241.6)

Pembrokeshire: 153.4 (up from 151)

Ceredigion: 154.1 (up from 137.6)

Powys Teaching Health Board

Powys: 89.1 (down from 91.4)

Swansea Bay University Health Board

Neath Port Talbot: 509.4 (up from 464)

Swansea: 383.4 (down from 366)

Wales total – 262.3 (up from 252.7)

Incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, Dr Chris Williams, said: “New Welsh Government restrictions come into force at 6pm yesterday (December 4), covering travel and the hospitality sector.

“People living in Wales cannot travel to areas of England in tier three or areas of Scotland in level three or above. In these circumstances, travel out of Wales is only allowed under limited circumstances, such as for work or education.

“People you don’t live with cannot come into your home, unless you have formed an extended household (or “bubble”) with them (except in very limited circumstances).

“Pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes will need to close at 6pm apart from takeaway services, and will not be able to serve alcohol.

“Indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas, bingo halls, soft play centres and bowling alleys must close from the same date, as must indoor visitor attractions such as museums, galleries and heritage sites.

“It is now clear from the data that the coronavirus cases are rising in most parts of Wales, reversing the downward trend we had observed as a result of the fire-break.

“We ask the public to observe the regulations and to limit their contact with other people as much as possible so that we all work together to bring the numbers of positive cases down.

“This means staying out of other people’s homes, limiting the times and the numbers of people that you meet, maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene, working from home if you can, and self-isolating if you show symptoms of coronavirus or are asked to do so by contact tracers.

“Public Health Wales urges everyone to follow the rules, to avoid transmission of coronavirus and to protect everyone in our communities, including the most vulnerable.

“The festive period is important for people across Wales who want to be with loved ones during the holidays, particularly after a very difficult year, but we would remind everyone that we must each continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of the virus and protect our loved ones, particularly if they are vulnerable or extremely vulnerable. For many, this will mean that it isn’t possible to celebrate Christmas in the way you normally would.

“We understand that people will want to do their Christmas shopping at this time of year. We would suggest to try to visit shops during off-peak times, to always maintain social distancing and to wear a face covering if you can. Options such as ‘click and collect’ or online purchasing may also be something to consider.

“The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has now authorised the first COVID-19 vaccine as safe and effective on the basis of detailed independent expert review of evidence from large scale clinical trials.

“The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine has become the first to receive MHRA clearance in the UK and 40 million doses of the vaccine will shortly be available for delivery across the UK, with Wales getting its allocation based on population.

“This is welcome news, however the effects of the vaccine may not be seen nationally for many months and it is extremely important that everyone continues to follow the advice on keeping Wales safe; keep contacts with other people to a minimum, keep a two-metre distance from others, wash hands regularly, wear a face covering where required, and self-isolating when asked to do so.”

Keep up to date with the latest coronavirus data where you live:

Dr Williams added: “Due to high numbers of positive cases in Torfaen, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is operating a number of mobile COVID-19 testing units across Torfaen. The mobile units will provide a walk up testing service for residents who live nearby, and more details can be found on the Torfaen council and ABUHB social media channels.

“Torfaen residents who experience even mild symptoms of coronavirus – a fever, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell – or feel generally unwell, should call 0300 30 31 222 or visit https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test to book a test.

“Public Health Wales is encouraging everyone who lives, works or studies in Merthyr Tydfil to attend the mass testing service at the Leisure Centre as soon as they can – even if they do not have symptoms.

“Thank you to those who have already attended and undertaken a test, as this will help us to break the chains of transmission in the area. However, in order for the exercise to be as successful as possible then we need as many people in the area as possible to be tested.

“For more information about the testing exercise, visit the Merthyr Tydfil council website. Anyone aged 11+ without any symptoms can have a test, but children under 18 will need parental consent. The more people who get tested, the more chances we have to reduce the spread of the virus.”

For more information about coronavirus, see the Public Health Wales website or the NHS 111 Wales symptom checker.