There have been 29 new cases of coronavirus recorded in the Hywel Dda health board area according to today’s figures (Thursday, March 4).

Today’s Public Health Wales figures show 21 new cases in Carmarthenshire, four in Pembrokeshire and four in Ceredigion.

Across Wales, 267 new cases have been confirmed and 13 new suspected Covid-19 deaths have also been reported.

The total number of cases in Wales is now 204,463, with 5,366 deaths.

Two more deaths have been recorded in the Hywel Dda area since yesterday, with the total standing at 460 throughout the pandemic.

The total number of cases across the three counties is now 15,525 – 10,490 in Carmarthenshire, 3,307 in Pembrokeshire and 1,728 in Ceredigion.

There have been 11,728 tests carried out since the last report.

Across Wales, 951,540 have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine and 139,445 the second.

In Hywel Dda the health board has administered 130,152 vaccinations up to March 3  – 12,869 over the last seven days.

There have been  56,714 first doses, 4,345 second doses administered in Carmathenshire, 39,146 first doses, 2,488 second doses in Pembrokeshire and 21,780 first doses and 1,348 second does in Ceredigion.

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

“The weekly incidence of COVID-19 infections is now below 50 cases per 100,000  population in half of the local authorities in Wales, although there are some areas which are still high.  This continued decrease is encouraging, however it becomes even more important that we continue to stick to the rules in order to maintain this downward pressure on the virus.

“The public should be aware that the level 4 restrictions remain in place in order to keep infection rates falling and that you should stay at home, meet only the people you live with, work from home if you can, wear a face covering where required, wash your hands regularly and stay 2 metres from anyone you do not live with.

 “We remind everyone that four people from two different households are now able to meet outdoors for socially distanced local exercise.  However, please remember this is solely for the purpose of exercise and that individuals should remain at a social distance, and that this guidance doesn’t apply to private gardens.

“Coronavirus cases by variant in Wales are reported on the UK Government website.  The dominant strain in Wales is the Kent variant, and there is currently no evidence of widespread community transmission of other Variants of Concern in Wales.”

“Welsh Government has announced that the revised vaccine strategy will mean that every eligible adult in Wales will be offered a first dose by the end of July.  In addition, adults with severe or profound learning disabilities, and those with any mental illness that causes severe functional impairment, will be invited for vaccination as part of the JCVI priority group six, and Welsh Government has published guidance on identifying eligible individuals in these groups and how to support them to take up their vaccine offers.

“Welsh Government also announced an expansion of workplace and community testing, with workplaces with more than 50 employees now eligible for support to regularly test their workforce, helping to reduce the spread of the virus and allowing them to operate safely.

“As primary school children aged three to seven years in foundation phase returned to face-to-face learning, we thank parents for their perseverence during the winter.

“We need your continued support to control the spread of Coronavirus, so please do not send your child to school if they are unwell, even if you are not sure if they have Coronavirus.  Please continue to work from home if at all possible.

“When you take your child to school, always keep your distance from other parents, wear a face covering, and don’t stay around and chat.  Please don’t invite other children or their parents to your home to play or stay, even outdoors, and even if they are in the same bubble at school.

“Make sure your child understands the importance of washing their hands regularly.

“Restrictions on UK and international travel remain in place.  More information on current travel guidance is available on the Welsh Government website.

“More than 942,000 people have now received a first does of the safe and effective Coronavirus vaccine. We encourage everyone, whatever their background, socio-demographic and ethnicity, to have the vaccine when they are offered it.  We also stress the importance of seeking information from a trusted source such as Public Health Wales, the Welsh Government, local health board or GP.

“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 visiting www.gov.wales/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19.”