Visits to care homes in Caerphilly County Borough have been stopped with immediate effect because of a rise in coronavirus cases.

This cluster of new cases is being managed by a multi-agency team that includes Public Health Wales,i Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Caerphilly County Borough Council.

In the last seven days, 56 new cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the borough – the highest figure of any county in Wales.

The bodies have agreed to prevent visitors entering care settings to visit relatives and friends.

Cllr Carl Cuss, the council’s cabinet member for social services said: “This decision was not taken lightly, especially given that Welsh Government has only recently relaxed some of the restrictions around care home visits.

“However, we must put the health and wellbeing of our elderly and vulnerable residents first and I’m sure families will understand the pressing need to take this action.

“I fully appreciate that care home residents and their families will be very disappointed with this decision, but I would like to assure all concerned that the decision was taken in the best interest of protecting their health.”

In addition to the restrictions, there will be a temporary return to weekly testing at each care setting.

The council said the situation will be kept under review over the coming weeks.