Three more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Caerphilly County Borough area, Public Health Wales has announced.

It brings the total number in the area to four. The exact locations of the patients have not been disclosed.

On Wednesday it was announced the county borough had the first confirmed case of community transmission of the COVID-19 virus in Wales.

The patient had no history of recent foreign travel and had not been in contact with a person who had tested positive.

The overall number of confirmed cases in Wales now stands at 38.

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We can confirm that 13 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 38.

“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.

“All patients are being managed in clinically appropriate settings based on the assessment of a specialist infectious disease consultant.

“No further details regarding these individuals will be released, and we ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality.

“Public Health Wales is working with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and others now that we have entered the delay phase of the UK Coronavirus Action Plan. This is now not just an attempt to contain the disease, as far as possible, but to delay its spread.

“The most common symptoms of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough, and/or a high temperature.

“For most people, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection. If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection, however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for seven days from when your symptoms started. This action will help protect others in your community whilst you are infectious.”