THE number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Powys has been reduced to three.

Public Health Wales issued the correct figure today and said there had been a mistake last week when the number jumped to five.

Also the first death in Wales of a patient who contracted coronavirus COVID-19 was confirmed. The patient was 68 and being treated at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Figures released by Public Health Wales showed 30 new cases had been identified in Wales bringing the total to more than 124.

However as officials are no longer asking everyone to report symptoms, or testing every one, the true figure is likely to be much higher.

Public Health Wales said in its daily update today that Powys had three confirmed cases and it later clarified that a figure of five, given last week, was incorrect.

As yet Public Health Wales has given no indication of where in Powys the three cases have been confirmed. It has also said it is still working to confirm the residential area of 12 of the 30 new cases.

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: "We can confirm that 30 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales.

"We are working with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and others now that we have entered the ‘delay’ phase. This is now not just an attempt to contain the disease, as far as possible, but to delay its spread.

“The advice for the public changed. People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Instead, anyone who has a high temperature or a new continuous cough should stay at home for seven days. They should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

“They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.”

“The public play an important role in this new phase. By following the latest advice, you will protect yourself, protect the most vulnerable, and delay and flatten the peak, which will reduce the pressure on NHS Wales and minimise the impact of the virus.

“The move into the ‘delay’ phase, will include working closely with health boards, NHS 111 and the Welsh Government towards transitioning away from community testing and contact tracing. Testing will now focus on cases admitted to hospital, in line with national guidance, and based on symptoms and severity.

“The move away from community testing gives us greater capacity to test in hospital settings, where the most vulnerable patients will be cared for.

“While there is no longer a need to identify every case through community testing, we will still need to and will be able to report on Novel Coronavirus level in Wales. In a similar way to our seasonal flu reporting, we will be undertaking routine Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) surveillance which will help us understand the picture in Wales."