OVER 200 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Flintshire and Wrexham, the latest available data shows. 

Public Health Wales figures released on Monday show that between January 16 and 17, 229 new cases were confirmed in the two counties. 

Of these, 135 were in Wrexham and 94 in Flintshire. 

Wrexham's infection rate per 100,000 population stands at 792, and remains by far the highest in Wales. 

However, the rate is now falling - having been up at nearly 1,000 in recent weeks. 

Flintshire's seven-day infection rate now stands at 522, the second highest in Wales. But this is down by a hundred on its infection rate a week ago. 

Across the north Wales region as a whole, 369 new cases were confirmed in the period between January 16 and 17. 

Sadly, a further 20 people who had tested positive for coronavirus in the last 28 days died in the latest 24 hour period - taking Wales' confirmed total of suspected coronavirus-related deaths to 4,294.

GPs in north Wales have been warned that there is a delay in one of the vaccine batches, affecting about 26,000 doses - with GPs therefore advised to cancel some vaccinations in the early part of this week. 

Dr Eleri Davies, incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The number of positive coronavirus cases remains extremely high in Wales and is cause for serious concern, due to the impact on NHS Wales services.

“All of Wales remains in lockdown. We ask that the public adopts the same mindset for this lockdown as they did in March 2020. We understand that people are fatigued but because the new, more infectious variant of coronavirus is circulating across Wales it is vital that we all keep to the lockdown restrictions and do not meet other people.

“This means that you must stay at home. If exercising outdoors, please do this alone or with members of your household or support bubble only. Shop online, but if you do need to visit essential retail then do this alone, if possible, to minimise numbers of people in retail spaces, and avoid stopping to chat with people outside your household. If you must leave home keep your distance, wash your hands regularly, and wear a face mask when required according to the regulations.

“Public Health Wales urges everyone to follow the rules, to avoid transmission of coronavirus and to protect everyone in our communities, including the most vulnerable."