LESS than ten new cases of covid-19 have been reported across North Wales, health chiefs have said.

Public Health Wales confirmed on Tuesday that 53 new cases of the virus have been reported across Wales, in addition to two further deaths.

Just seven of the new cases were reported in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area.

There were:

  • Four in Flintshire
  • Two in Wrexham
  • One in Gwynedd

Public Health Wales confirmed the number of suspected covid-19 deaths in lab confirmed cases in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board stands at 942.

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Welsh Government has announced that six people (not including children under 11 years old or carers) be able to meet outdoors from Saturday, April 24, without a restriction on the number of households.

"The current rule states that six people from two households can meet outdoors.

“People should observe social distancing when meeting with others from outside their household or support bubble.

“The rules on meeting other people indoors remain unchanged.

“In addition, Welsh Government confirmed that outdoor hospitality can resume on Monday, April 26.

“Public Health Wales recently published its latest surveillance report analysing COVID-19 vaccine uptake by sex, socioeconomic deprivation and ethnic group.

“According to the findings, inequality gaps in vaccine uptake of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine between ethnic and socioeconomic groups in older adults in Wales have narrowed since March but, despite this, significant inequalities still remain.

“On Friday the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that pregnant women should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and clinical risk group. JCVI advice is followed in Wales.

“As there is more experience of the use of the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines in pregnancy those vaccines are therefore the preferred vaccines to offer to pregnant women.

“We would like to remind the public that Coronavirus is still circulating in our communities and a large number of people have not been fully vaccinated.

"It is therefore vital that people observe social distancing, where face coverings when in indoor spaces, and wash hands regularly. These actions will help to prevent transmission of the virus."