CARDIFF and the Vale University Health Board saw the biggest 24-hour rise in coronavirus cases on Wednesday, reporting 71 new cases and bringing the cumulative total to 1,013.

A total of 236 of these cases were in the Vale of Glamorgan where a further 15 people tested positive on Wednesday.

In total 799 people have been tested for the virus in the Vale, of whom 29.5 per cent have tested positive.

Meanwhile, the virus has claimed 33 more lives across Wales, meaning 245 have now passed away with the disease.

There were 284 new cases of covid-19 reported in Wales, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 4,073, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.

Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We offer our condolences to families and friends affected, and we ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality.

“Public Health Wales has conducted more than 15,000 tests for Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) on more than 13,000 individuals since the start of this outbreak.”

It comes as a Welsh Government minister said lockdown rules will continue into at least next week.

When the UK-wide lockdown rules were announced, prime minister Boris Johnson said they would be reviewed every three weeks.

Next Monday, April 13, marks three weeks since the announcement.

But, speaking at a press conference yesterday, the Welsh Government housing and local government minister Julie James said this was too soon to lift the lockdown and the rules would remain in force in Wales into the start of next week - and possibly further.

A more formal announcement on the continuation of lockdown guidelines will be given soon.

"These are extraordinary times, and we've taken these measures because by working together we can slow the speed of the coronavirus," Mrs James said.

"We will definitely be extending the guidelines, and more formal restrictions will be announced within the next few days. What I do know is that the measures will definitely stay in force after Monday."

With the Easter weekend coming up, Mrs James also reiterated the importance of abiding by the rules.

"There are signs that these measures are having an impact," she said. "Our decisions taken this weekend will impact our lives in the future. We have seen people flouting the guidelines so far in all four parts of Wales, but on the whole we have seen a brilliant reaction from the public."