Latest Public Health Wales figures show that 30 people have tested positive for coronavirus bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Powys to 2,909 since the outbreak began.

There have been no more deaths with the virus in the county which according to Public Health Wales remains at 37. That number stands at 147 according to more accurate Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

Localised data during the seven days leading up to January 7 shows that the Rhayader, Newbridge-on-Wye and Elan Valley area recorded 25 cases, while Llanfair Caereinion and Caersws recorded three.

Across Wales, 16 more people have died after contracting the virus, and there were 1,332 new cases.

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Powys stats

Confirmed cases – 2,909

New cases in January 12 data – 30

Rate of new cases per 100,000 in week to January 7 – 207.6

Powys position among Welsh local authorities for rate of new cases – 17th out of 22

Why are figures lower in Powys?

Deaths of Powys residents can be skewed as many of the county’s patients deemed acute are transferred to hospitals in England.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures therefore are usually considered a stronger indicator of the overall impact of the virus, and which are based on all deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned on the death certificate. ONS figures stand at 147 in Powys.

Newly-confirmed cases day-by-day

Tuesday, January 12 - 30

Monday, January 11 - 69

Saturday/Sunday, January 9/10 - 75

Friday, January 8 - 43

Thursday, January 7 – 37

Wednesday, January 6 – 39

Tuesday, January 5 – 42

The national picture

A further 16 people have died in Wales, taking the total to just under 4,000 (3,997). The total number of deaths in Wales involving Covid-19, however, stands at 4,647, according to the ONS.

There were 1,332 new cases reported, taking the total number of cases since the pandemic began to 172,879.

Wales' seven-day case rate is 404 per 100,000.

As of Sunday, January 3, 49,403 people in Wales had received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, and 25 have had their second dose, according to Public Health Wales.

Public Health Wales says 4,037 Powys residents recieved their vaccination by January 6.

Public Health Wales statement

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The number of positive Coronavirus cases remains extremely high in Wales and is cause for serious concern.

“All of Wales remains in lockdown. We ask that the public adopts the same mindset for this lockdown as they did in March 2020. We understand that people are fatigued but with a more transmissible variant of coronavirus circulating across Wales it is vital that we all keep to the lockdown restrictions in place.

“This means stay at home. If exercising outdoors, please do this alone or with members of your household or support bubble and if possible, only once a day. Shop online but if you do need to visit essential retail do this alone. If you must leave home keep your distance, wash your hands regularly, and wear a face mask.

“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 roll-out of the Pfizer BioNTech and AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccines continues in Wales with the the recently Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved Moderna vaccine to be incorporated into the programme soon.

“From Monday 11 January 2021, daily vaccination data will be published on the Public Health Wales dashboard. The headline summary will include daily cumulative numbers of individuals who have received a first and second vaccination dose. More detailed vaccination data including numbers by health board area will be updated on a weekly basis every Thursday. Public Health Wales is working closely with the Welsh Government as they deploy Coronavirus vaccinations through local health boards. Welsh Government is leading on the deployment of the vaccine in Wales.”

“Vaccinating the adult population of Wales, to protect people from severe disease, is a significant task, and the vaccine will take time to reach everyone. The effects of the vaccines may not be seen nationally for some time, and we must continue to follow the advice on keeping Wales safe. 

“The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has issued a short statement outlining the case for optimising the existing vaccine programme within the UK to achieve maximum short term impact. The JCVI advises initially prioritising delivery of the first vaccine dose as this is highly likely to have a greater public health impact in the short term and reduce the number of preventable deaths from COVID-19.

“Given the data available, and evidence from the use of many other vaccines, Public Health Wales fully supports the JCVI advice to increase a maximum interval between the first and second doses of 12 weeks for both Pfizer BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines.

“Members of the public should not phone your GP, pharmacy or hospital asking when they will get a vaccine. When someone is in one of the groups eligible for the vaccine, they will be invited to attend a dedicated clinic which will have been set up to ensure patient safety and that of the healthcare professionals.

“Public Health Wales is working with UK partners to investigate and respond to the new variant of coronavirus identified in Wales. The new variant is easier to spread and the public should remain highly vigilant in measures to prevent transmission including maintaining social distancing, regularly handwashing and wearing of face coverings. Though the new variant can be transmitted more easily there is no evidence that it leads to more severe disease.

“Travellers who have been in or transited through the Republic of South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the last 10 days are no longer allowed into the UK. We advise anyone returning to Wales from these countries to regularly check gov.uk for the latest guidance and advice on self-isolating.

“If you or a member of your household develop a cough, fever or change in sense of taste or smell, you must self-isolate immediately and book a free Coronavirus test, either by calling 119 or by clicking here.

“If you are due to travel out of the UK, please be aware of the changing situation and keep an eye on the FCO website for up to date details."