Another 23 new cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the Hywel Dda health board area, according to today’s figures (Monday, February 22).

Today’s Public Health Wales figures show 16 new cases in Carmarthenshire, four in Pembrokeshire and three in Ceredigion.

Across Wales, 319 new cases have been confirmed and nine new suspected Covid-19 deaths have also been reported by Public Health Wales.

The total number of cases in Wales is now 202,007, with 5,246 deaths.

Five more deaths have been recorded in the Hywel Dda area, with the total standing at 440 throughout the pandemic.

The total number of cases across the three counties is now 15,330 – 10,359 in Carmarthenshire, 3,265 in Pembrokeshire and 1,706 in Ceredigion.

There have been 9,822 tests carried out since the last report.

Across Wales, 862,248 have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine and 42,752 the second dose.

In Hywel Dda the health board has administered 103,989 vaccinations up to February 17 – 48,230 in Carmarthenshire, 38,828 in Pembrokeshire and 18,701 in Ceredigion.

A further 3,230 have been given to council or health board staff working in the area but living elsewhere.

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

“Coronavirus rates have fallen in every part of Wales, but remain higher in some parts.  We remind the public that we remain under level 4 restrictions to keep infection rates falling.

“Please 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 two metres from anyone you do not live with.

“As primary school children aged three to seven years in foundation phase are returning to face-to-face learning today, we thank parents for their perseverance 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.

“The Welsh Government has also confirmed that from Saturday 20 February, four people from two different households are able to meet outdoors for socially distanced local exercise. 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.

“From March 1, the law will be changed to allow licensed wedding venues, such as visitor attractions and hotels, to re-open but only to perform wedding and civil partnership ceremonies.

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

“More than 850,000 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.”