Wales' Chief Medical Officer has insisted there is 'no appetite' to return to lockdowns or restrictions as covid cases rise. 

Earlier this week, Health bosses warned that 'covid had not gone away' after a sharp increase in cases across Wales. 

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – released on Friday, July 1 – show an estimated 3.49 per cent of the Welsh population is testing positive for Covid – or just under one in every 29 people – in the seven days up to June 24.

This is a rise from the previous week’s figure of 2.25 per cent – or one in every 44 people in Wales.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson quits - this is how Wrexham and Flintshire's MPs reacted

Sir Frank Atherton said he believes the case rate will peak towards the end of the July or the start of August, before dropping off again. 

He said: "Things have been on the rise the last few weeks, we're looking at data of other countries, like Portugal who have ridden the crest of cases. 

"We're looking at the end of July, into August then rates will start to drop and ease hospital rates. 

"We have no appetite for measures like lockdowns to return. We're not in that space because of vaccines."

READ MORE: Wrexham's Rock the Park music festival has been cancelled

Sir Atherton also spoke of the importance of vaccines and rollout plans for the autumn.

He added: "Vaccines are very effective. They're not good at stopping transmission but good at keeping us out of the hospital. 

"It's really important going into the autumn that people plan to get their covid booster and flu jab. 

"I am wary about Influenza and what it will do to the population in Wales. It's likely we could have flu and coronavirus circulating in Wales. 

"We are planning a major vaccine campaign for autumn and it is so important for people to get their flu and covid boosters."