Summary

  • There have been 22 deaths from Covid-19 in Wales and 628 confirmed cases

  • No explanation for a “random” cluster of more than 300 cases within the Aneurin Bevan health board area

  • The board's public health director says the pattern in the area is the same as seen in Italy

  • More personal protective equipment is being issued to frontline NHS staff, the health minister says

  • The Prince of Wales tests positive for Covid-19

  1. Good night from uspublished at 22:55 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    That's all from us after another busy day covering the coronavirus outbreak in Wales.

    Stay safe and join us again on Thursday when we will be continuing our coverage.

    We leave you with a helpful video about why we touch our face - and how to stop.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Why we touch our faces and how to stop it

  2. Here's a roundup of what happened todaypublished at 22:49 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    • Aneurin Bevan health board is "urgently" looking for new staff after a senior official warned the area could be "following Italy" and faces being overwhelmed by a rapid increase in coronavirus cases
    • The Prince of Wales tested positive for coronavirus- Clarence House said Prince Charles has "mild symptoms" but otherwise remains in "good health"
    • Wales' Health Minister Vaughan Gething said there was a "significant push" for more protective equipment for NHS staff. He acknowledged there would be "continuing issues" with supply but explained NHS staff dealing with suspected Covid-19 patients would get the gear as a priority
    • There have been 22 deaths from Covid-19 in Wales and 628 confirmed cases
  3. App developed to track coronavirus symptomspublished at 22:41 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    The Covid Symptom TrackerImage source, Covid Symptom Tracker

    An app tracking the symptoms of coronavirus has become one of the UK's most popular downloads, with creators hoping to deliver insights into why some people get the disease more severely than others.

    They also hope to create a map that shows where outbreaks are happening and a method of distinguishing cases from those of the common cold.

    Experts have warned people to be cautious about which apps they download in relation to the virus.

    At present, Covid Symptom Tracker is the third most popular app in Apple's UK store and second in Google Play's new releases chart for the country.

  4. Health board needs staff 'urgently'published at 22:36 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    A health board in one of the worst affected areas of the UK is urgently seeking new staff.

    Aneurin Bevan health board could be "following Italy" and faces being overwhelmed by a rapid increase in coronavirus cases, a top official warned on Wednesday.

    "We need you! Your health board needs you," the tweet reads.

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  5. 'Level playing field' callpublished at 22:28 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    Firms should get the same level of support wherever they are based, according to CBI Cymru director Ian Price.

    The business support group says this will allow them all to operate "on a level playing field".

    He called on the Welsh and UK governments to co-ordinate help for all.

    Mr Price said: “Firms being hit hardest by Covid-19 don’t care what government is providing help or what mechanisms are used, they need immediate, easy to access support that avoids excessive bureaucracy and puts protection of jobs first."

  6. 'I do not feel safe at work'published at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    A mechanic at workImage source, Getty Images

    Workers have told BBC Wales they fear their safety is being put at risk by being told to go to work during the coronavirus pandemic.

    The UK government has said people should only travel to work if it is absolutely essential or they are key workers.

    But a postal worker said he was "really worried" about contracting coronavirus at work and passing it on.

    And a mechanic says he felt "bullied" into going to work.

  7. UK orders 10,000 ventilators from Dysonpublished at 22:09 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    British manufacturer Dyson has received an order for 10,000 ventilators from the UK government.

    BBC Business editor Simon Jack, external reports the order will be ready in April and the firm will also donate an extra 1,000 to the UK, and 4,000 to other countries.

    Ministers have asked manufacturers to switch their production in order to make the equipment, which can be used to help keep the worst-affected Covid-19 patients alive. The UK has even published the design online, external in a bid to help.

    Around the world, major car firms - including Ford, Tesla and Fiat - have been among those to answer similar calls from governments.

  8. Coronavirus hits rubbish collectionspublished at 21:53 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    WasteImage source, Getty Images

    Waste and recycling centres have closed and bin collections face disruption in five local authority areas.

    In Newport, collections are operating with reduced staff, with residents urged to have rubbish ready outside by 06:00 GMT on the morning it's due to be picked up.

    In Torfaen, green bin collections have been suspended while in Monmouthshire, grounds maintenance teams have been redeployed to support bin collection services, which are operating as normal as a result.

    Blaenau Gwent has seen the roll-out of a new commercial recycling service suspended.

  9. Free parking for key workers in Cardiffpublished at 21:35 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    Heath Park car parkImage source, Jaggery/Geograph

    Key workers in Cardiff will no longer have to pay to park their vehicle on-street or in council-owned car parks.

    Cardiff council have lifted fees in 14 car parks across the city for key workers during the outbreak.

    “These are unprecedented times," said councillor Caro Wild.

    "Our key workers are doing a magnificent job and we want to do all that we can to support them, while also doing our best to ensure transmission of the virus is slowed or halted."

    Heath Park car park, close to the University Hospital of Wales, has already been limited to NHS workers only.

  10. Major UK supermarkets bring in safety measurespublished at 21:23 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    Major supermarkets in the UK are bringing in measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including limiting the number of people in stores and floor markings to help customers maintain a safe distance while queuing.

    Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and the Co-Op are among those to implement changes, including extra hand sanitisers in stores for staff and customers to use, cleaning products to wipe down baskets or trolleys and putting up protective screens at checkouts.

    Stores have also asked people to try to arrive throughout the day, rather than first thing in the morning, and to pay by card.

    Sainsbury’s chief executive Mike Coupe wrote to customers on Wednesday to say “we will limit the number of people allowed in our stores and at our ATMs at any one time”.

    lines showing social distancing guidelines in TescoImage source, Gett
  11. 'Stay home' plea from train staffpublished at 21:11 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    Transport for Wales have shared a video on social media showing staff thanking passengers for staying home.

    "We are supporting our key workers and health professionals during these difficult times," TfW said.

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  12. Police 'will need to take action' if people ignore advicepublished at 20:52 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    Gwent Police have shared a video on social media which features Chief Constable Pam Kelly pleading with people to "work with us".

    She said the force would "need to take action" against people who ignored government advice in order to "protect our communities, vulnerable people and our NHS".

    Aneurin Bevan health board, which covers a similar area, could be "following Italy" and faces being overwhelmed by a rapid increase in coronavirus cases, a top official warned on Wednesday.

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  13. Key workers must re-apply for free childcarepublished at 20:37 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    Parents who are key workers and want their children to continue attending school for childcare purposes in Rhondda Cynon Taff must re-apply by midday on Friday 27 March on the council website, external.

    The council had kept all schools for three to 14-year-olds open for this purpose, but it has announced it will in future provide the service in 11 "emergency centres". These are:

    • Aberdare Community School
    • Heol-y-Celyn Primary, Rhydyfelin
    • Ferndale Community School
    • Tonyrefail Community School
    • Ysgol Nantgwyn, Tonypandy
    • Ysgol Llanhari
    • Mountain Ash Comprehensive
    • Ysgol Hen Felin
    • Ysgol Ty Coch
    • Park Lane School
    • Maesgwyn School
  14. Factory operating 'within guidelines' despite fearspublished at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    A factory in Gwynedd has confirmed it is continuing to operate despite concerns that is putting workers at risk.

    Rehau Ltd makes uPVC windows and doors at the site in Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog.

    People took to social media to call for the site to be temporarily closed during the outbreak but the company said it is carrying on.

    "The site is currently operating within government guidelines for social distancing and guidance has been issued to all workers at the site, including advice about the regular washing of hands with soap and hot water," said a spokesman.

    "The welfare of our workforce is our primary concern and more information about all our UK sites, including Blaenau, will be provided in the next 24 hours."

  15. Pictures from Queen and Boris Johnson's phone callpublished at 20:16 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    Well, you might not have been expecting to see this today.

    But the Royal Family has shared pictures purportedly of the Queen and Boris Johnson speaking over the phone earlier.

    And yes, we think that is a porcelain corgi on the Queen's side table.

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  16. Sol Bamba backs the #StayHomeSaveLives campaignpublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    Sol Bamba would normally have been preparing for a match in the EFL Championship for Cardiff City at this time.

    But now the defender is staying home and adding his weight to the #StayHomeSaveLives campaign.

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  17. Five easy steps to help pharmaciespublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    Here are five steps towards helping pharmacies ensure we all get the medicines we need during the coronavirus outbreak, according to Andrew Evans, the Welsh Government's chief pharmaceutical officer.

    1. Don't visit pharmacies if you're showing any Covid-19 symptoms
    2. Plan ahead by ordering prescriptions seven days before they're due
    3. Put your contact details on prescriptions so pharmacies can let you know when they're ready
    4. If you're self-isolating, ask a friend, relative or neighbour to collect any prescriptions
    5. Can you help someone pick up their medicines?
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  18. Plea to stay home to avoid Italian fate in Walespublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    We reported earlier the concern that the NHS could be "following Italy" and faces being overwhelmed by a rapid increase in coronavirus cases.

    "In Gwent we are seeing a rapidly rising increase in the number of cases of coronavirus in the community, the number of people being admitted to hospital and the number of people dying of the virus," Sarah Aitken, the Aneurin Bevan health board's director of public health said.

    Here's her warning in full:

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: 'The pattern in Gwent is the same seen in Italy'

  19. Beach visitors urged to 'stay at home'published at 19:24 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    People are still visiting beaches despite warnings to stay at home, according to HM Coastguard.

    It said people had also been visiting locations in groups, with a number of reports around the UK.

    “Stay at home," said assistant director Pete Mizen.

    Empty beachImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    People follow the advice and stay away from the beach at Barry Island

    Road closed sign and an empty streetImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The main road into the promenade at Barry Island is closed

  20. 'Overwhelmed by people's generosity'published at 19:07 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2020

    The Welsh Government said it had been overwhelmed by people's generosity in offering their time to volunteer to help vulnerable people.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson said 405,000 people had come forward to volunteer with the NHS in England, with calls for a similar scheme in Wales.

    “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Wales to support the NHS, local services and their community during this very difficult time," a spokeswoman said.

    "It is important that people who do volunteer do so safely, without putting themselves of others at risk."

    People can register on the Volunteering Wales site, external.