More testing centres to be built in Wales in next week, health minister confirms

Three more testing centres will be built around Wales as the Welsh Government aims to meet its target of 9,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of the month April, the health minister has confirmed.

During Tuesday's press conference, Vaughan Gething said the testing centre which has been erected in Cardiff City Stadium will help the government "learn a lot" in terms of the number of tests which can be undertaken.

He said another one is "likely" to be built at Rodney Parade in Newport, another in south west Wales and a further centre in north Wales in the next seven to ten days.

He said health and social care workers will be initially prioritised with testing rolled out to other key workers including police and prison officers and members of the fire service.

The aim is that people can travel to be tested within thirty minutes of their own home.

Vaughan Gething also paid tribute to the Cardiff surgeon Dr Jitendra Rathod who died after contracting Covid-19 saying he was "deeply saddened" by the news.

The reality that no matter your expertise, this can directly affect you", he said.

He also wished Boris Johnson well after the announcement the prime minister is being treated at an intensive care unit for coronavirus.Boris Johnson has been given "oxygen support" but has not been on a ventilator, a Cabinet minister has said.

The Prime Minister was taken to St Thomas' Hospital in London on Sunday night "as a precaution" after his symptoms persisted.

Watch the press conference in full:

There have been 27 further deaths from the virus in Wales bringing the total number of people who have died from the disease to 193.

Figures released by Public Health Wales show there are now 3,499 confirmed cases of COVID-19, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.