Number of suspected coronavirus deaths in Wales rises by 73 as care home deaths included for first time

A further 73 people in Wales have died after testing positive for coronavirus as care home deaths were included in Public Health Wales figures for the first time.

Public Health Wales confirmed a total of 886 suspected coronavirus-related deaths in Wales.

It said the majority of deaths were in hospitals but a proportion took place in care homes.

The figures only include the deaths of people who were confirmed to have Covid-19 by laboratory testing.

The true number of deaths in Wales is higher, with 1,016 recorded by the Office for National Statistics.

The UK Government is preparing to unveil the combined number of daily deaths in hospitals, care homes and the community linked to the killer virus. Credit: PA Images

Public Health Wales Covid-19 figures as of Wednesday 28 April:

  • 9,629 total confirmed Covid-19 cases (of which 117 were new reports today)

  • 73 new suspected Covid-19 deaths reported today

  • 886 total suspected Covid-19 deaths reported to Public Health Wales

  • 30,362 individuals tested so far

  • 20,733 individuals tested negative

Dr Giri Shankar, leading Public Health Wales' response to the outbreak, said evidence suggests the number of cases is "levelling off".

He said: “The testing centre in Llandudno opened today. This centre will test NHS staff, police, fire and ambulance services, via self-swab so that individuals being tested do not need to leave their vehicles.

“Based on the new case numbers there is emerging evidence suggesting a levelling-off in the number of new cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, which may be an indication of the effectiveness of lockdown measures.

"However, it is still too early to tell for sure, and it is too soon to end the current social distancing rules."

During the Welsh Government briefing on Wednesday, Counsel General Jeremy Miles said the coronavirus pandemic may have a "deeper and more profound" effect in Wales than elsewhere.

He said Wales cannot go back to "business as normal" when the crisis has passed.

On Thursday an online booking system to speed up the way in which critical workers can get tested for coronavirus is due to go live.

It comes as millions eligible to get tested applied for an appointment in England as the UK Government online booking system opened.

Number of confirmed cases by local health board area as of 29/04/20:

  • Aneurin Bevan - 2,059

  • Betsi Cadwaldr - 1,196

  • Cardiff and Vale - 2,160

  • Cwm Taf Morgannwg - 1,687

  • Hywel Dda - 697

  • Powys - 166

  • Swansea Bay - 1,502

  • Unknown location - 79

  • Resident outside Wales - 83

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