Lockdown extension in Wales will be used to 'plan carefully' about ending restrictions

The First Minister has said the government is looking "cautiously and carefully" about ending the lockdown in Wales, after he announced a further three weeks of restrictions.

In a press conference on Friday, Mark Drakeford said coronavirus admissions to hospitals hit a peak on 7 April - at 196 - and had been "below that number every day since."

"Yesterday, that figure was as low as 105. While the number of people needing critical care rose rapidly at the end of March and into April, that figure was also the highest so far on 9 April - at 161. It has stabilised and been below that figure every day since."

He said this was the reason why the Welsh Government is now looking at ways in which Wales will come out of the lockdown, along with the rest of the UK.

"The next three weeks we are determined to use to plan ahead to work with governments to prepare for easing of lockdown in coordinated way and toplan together for recovery", he said.

He said once the lockdown is lifted, we are "likely to see outbreaks" locally, but need to be able to respond "quickly and effectively".

He added the additional three weeks would also be used to further strengthen the NHS, following the creation of additional critical care beds and field hospitals.

Mr Drakeford said they will be also watching how other countries respond to lifting the lockdown restrictions.

"We need to use the time we have to stay in close touch with other countries, so we can learn what it working and where it is not."

He also said figures showing the number of coronavirus-related deaths in care homes and the community are "a week or two behind."

It comes as one care home boss called for the number of people dying in care homes to be published claiming the lack of reporting is putting them "at the back of the queue for resources."

He confirmed the Welsh Government is working with Care Forum Wales about ways in which those on the front line of the industry can be rewarded for their "astonishing contribution" during the pandemic.