LATEST figures from health officials show how coronavirus in North Wales continues to spread.

Eight of the 34 new cases of coronavirus acquired as of August 22 came from North Wales – specifically five in Gwynedd, two from Wrexham and one from Flintshire.

The highest concentration of today’s cases came from the Cardiff area – with 17 positive cases in the confirmed in the last 24 hours.

One hospital patient has died as a result of the virus according to the latest release under the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

To date, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area – the largest health board in Wales - has confirmed 415 people have lost their life to COVID-19.

Headline data for Wales shows that as of today – Saturday – just under 17,710 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Wales and the current number of deaths currently stands at 1,590.

Dr Christopher Williams, incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales welcomes the announcement by Welsh Government of further easing of lockdown measures from today (Saturday 22 August), enabling up to four households to join together in an extended household.

“This means that families and friends will be able to reunite and will also help with caring arrangements.

“It is important to remember that if one person develops symptoms then everyone in the extended household arrangement will need to self-isolate in line with the Welsh Government guidance.

“In addition, up to 30 people will be able to meet for a meal following a wedding, civil partnership or funeral, providing social distancing measures are maintained.”

Dr Williams adds the following with regards to the localised situation in Wrexham – particularly with the latest news surrounding the infections confirmed in one branch of the town's Wetherspoon pubs.

He says: “We continue to carefully monitor the higher background rates of coronavirus in Wrexham as part of our routine surveillance of the virus in Wales.

“Members of the public can help prevent spread of coronavirus by always observing social distancing guidelines - that is staying two metres away from others, washing hands regularly, and working from home if they can.

“We continue to work in close partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Wrexham Council to deliver multi-agency activity in Wrexham to monitor and respond to cases of coronavirus.”

“Public Health Wales is working with Wrexham Council to investigate a small number of cases of coronavirus associated with the North and South Wales Bank pub in Wrexham.

“The identification of these cases is evidence that the Test, Trace, Protect strategy is working, and no outbreak has been declared.”

The local update also states that two incubation periods (28 days) have passed without any new cases of coronavirus associated with Rowan Foods.

Dr Williams says that, in line with the standard approach to the management of outbreaks, “the Outbreak Control Team has concluded the outbreak associated with the factory has been declared over”.