‘ Wales ‘

FM refuses to give 'false hope' of swift end to lockdown

First Minister Mark Drakeford says he does not want to give “false hope” that restrictions on daily life will come to an end soon.

The Welsh Government has taken a different approach to the UK government, insisting the measures will continue to help tackle the spread of Covid-19.

The UK government has said a decision on the approach in England would not come until “the end of next week”.

Mr Drakeford said at today's press briefing: “I do not want to give people false hope that an end to these restrictions is just around the corner.

“Of course I know that people want to see some light at the end of the tunnel but I also need us all to understand that we will live with some form of restrictions for weeks yet.”

Mr Drakeford was accused of “jumping the gun” and undermining the four-nation approach to tackling the crisis by the UK government.

However, he said Welsh people had shown “remarkable resilience” in adapting to the restrictions.

Lockdown rules 'could be tightened'

A review of the current lockdown regulations could lead to tighter restrictions being put in place, the first minister has admitted.

Mark Drakeford said: “The review of the regulations could lead to a tightening; it’s an open review.

"Personally I hope they don’t need to be further tightened; they are already onerous.”

BREAKING

29 more coronavirus deaths in Wales

There have been 29 more people with coronavirus who have died in Wales, according to Public Health Wales.

It takes the total number of deaths since the start of the virus pandemic to 315.

There were another 502 cases, taking the total to 4,591. However the real figure is thought to be far more as not everyone has been tested.

BREAKING

36 more deaths in Wales

Thirty-six more people have died in Wales after being diagnosed with Covid-19, taking the total number to 351, according to Public Health Wales.

There have been 340 new cases, bringing the total to 4,930, although the real figure is thought to be higher as not everyone is being tested.

BREAKING

18 more deaths in Wales brings total to 369

It has been announced that 18 more people have died in Wales after being diagnosed with Covid-19.

It means a total of 369 people have now died.

Public Health Wales said there had been 367 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 5,297, although the real figure is expected to be higher as not everyone is being tested.

BREAKING

15 more deaths in Wales, 313 more cases

The number of people who have died from Covid-19 in Wales has risen by 15 to 384, latest figures from Public Health Wales show.

There were also 313 new cases bringing the total to 5,610 - although the true number of cases is likely to be higher

There have been 60 further coronavirus deaths in Wales, taking the number of deaths in Wales to 463.

Public Health Wales said there were also 272 new cases of Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 6,118.

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We offer our condolences to families and friends affected.

“We are aware that the number of deaths reported today is regrettably much higher than yesterday, however it is worth noting that day-to-day fluctuations are to be expected.”