
The number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Wales has increased to 25.
Six new cases have been announced today (Thursday, March 12) in Monmouthshire, Cardiff and Blaenau Gwent, with two new cases announced in the Neath Port Talbot authority area. The other case is in Wrexham.
In total, 785 people have so far been tested for coronavirus in Wales, with the World Health Organisation declaring the outbreak a pandemic.
A coronavirus case was confirmed in Caerphilly County Borough on Wednesday (March 11). It is currently the only confirmed case in the borough.
Speaking on Thursday, March 12, Dr Robin Howe, incident director for coronavirus at Public Health Wales, said updates on the number of people diagnosed with the condition will now be revealed daily at 11am.
Dr Howe said: “The process of identifying and contacting close contacts of the new cases is underway, and we are taking all appropriate actions to protect the public’s health.
“The six patients are being managed in clinically appropriate settings based on the assessment of a specialist infectious disease consultant.
He said the new cases in Monmouthshire and Cardiff are linked to travel abroad, while the Neath Port Talbot cases are of people who have come in contact with recently diagnosed cases.
However, Dr Howe confirmed the cases in Blaenau Gwent and Wrexham have no history of travel to affected countries and are not known to have had contact with other confirmed cases.
Dr Howe added: “We ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality, and to understand our efforts to protect their privacy.
“The public can be assured that Wales and the whole of the UK is prepared for these types of incidents. Working with our partners in Wales and the UK, we have implemented our planned response, with robust infection control measures in place to protect the health of the public.”