No new deaths due to coronavirus reported in Wales

No new deaths from coronavirus have been reported in Wales today, for the first time since lockdown began.

Public Health Wales made the announcement in its daily update, adding that eight new cases of the virus have been reported.

Three health boards - Aneurin Bevan, Powys and Swansea Bay - reported no new cases.

The first death from the virus in Wales was reported in Wrexham on March 16. Since then, 1,531 people have died, according to Public Health Wales figures.

To date, 15,898 cases of the virus have been reported, although the true number is likely to be much higher as not everyone with symptoms has been tested.

From today, the requirement to stay local has been lifted by the Welsh Government.

Also, people from two separate households are now permitted to join together to form one exclusive extended household, including people who are shielding.

Today, a Public Health Wales spokesperson said: “We all have a vital role in preventing the spread of coronavirus by always sticking to social distancing guidelines – that’s staying two metres away from others and washing hands regularly. 

"You should also avoid car-sharing with people outside your household."

The First Minister said earlier that we are facing "a long road back to anything approaching normality" in Wales since the pandemic began.

Speaking at the Welsh Government's daily press briefing, Mark Drakeford told journalists he understood the desire for people to return to their lives pre-coronavirus.

But he said he did not want to offer anyone "false hope" by suggesting a date when things might go back to normal.

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