Wales handed emergency powers as more people test positive for coronavirus

The Welsh Government has been given emergency powers to tackle the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales.

This comes as the Chief Medical Officer for Wales confirmed two new cases of the virus, bringing the total number to four.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has welcomed confirmation that the emergency powers will be introduced by the UK Government.

The legislation will apply to the the four UK nations and will allow Wales to "respond quickly and effectively to the COVID-19 outbreak."

The two new coronavirus patients, who are from the same household, live in Pembrokeshire and have recently returned from northern Italy.

Wales' Chief Medical Officer says the patients are being managed in a clinically appropriate setting.

Dr Frank Atherton, the chief medical officer for Wales, said: "I can confirm that two additional individuals in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the total number of positive cases in Wales to four.

"Both individuals are resident in the same household in the Pembrokeshire local authority area and have recently returned from northern Italy.

"They are being managed in a clinically appropriate setting. All appropriate measures to provide care for the individuals and to reduce the risk of transmission to others are being taken.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to assure the public 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."

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