A pharmaceutical company says it never made a deal with Wales for extra coronavirus tests.

Roche was named by the first minister as the company whose testing deal with the Welsh Government collapsed.

Ministers said the deal would have provided 5,000 Covid-19 tests a day, but it emerged on Saturday that would not happen.

But Roche said on Wednesday it never had "a contract or agreement directly with Wales to supply testing".

Image source, Getty Images

Police in Newtown, Powys, say a driver who failed a cocaine swipe was issued with a fine for making a non-essential journey.

Officers from South Wales Police are continuing to check the public are complying with government advice, external.

Athletes who had planned to compete in a major sports event have complained to Trading Standards after organisers offered them a 50% refund of their entry fees, without the option of deferring entry.

This year’s competitors for The Long Course Weekend Wales event in Tenby were informed by email on 26 March that the event was being cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

They were offered a 50% refund by organisers, but some competitors are unhappy with the offer.

They also claim the terms and conditions were altered after the cancellation was announced.

Chris Joseph, from Caerphilly, has complained to Pembrokeshire council after paying £250 in July 2019 for this year’s event.

He says: “There was no offer of a deferment of the event or rearranging the event, and no offer of a full refund. They made it quite clear they didn’t have to give any refund.”

Organisers Activity Wales Events Ltd said it had not made changes to any of its terms and conditions relevant to cancellations and refunds - however competitors BBC Wales News has spoken to reject this.

It added: “Updating terms and conditions is standard for all businesses, large or small. Ours is no exception.”

Image source, Chris Joseph

Benefit payments to those out of work due to coronavirus should be accelerated, a Welsh anti-poverty organisation says,

The Bevan Foundation says unemployment is expected to double in the next few months and Universal Credit should be paid to people who cannot work because of school closures or self-isolation.

Dr Victoria Winckler, director of the think-tank, calls for some "urgent changes".

She says: "An immediate payment to tide people over, which does not need to be paid back for at least six months, would make all the difference. Universal Credit is a lifeline and now is the time to make it work."

Thousands of extra beds are being set up - many in sports and leisure facilities - to take the pressure off hospitals in Wales during the coronavirus pandemic.

NHS bed capacity is being "effectively doubled" in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Health Minister Vaughan Gething says.

Health boards have teamed up with councils and business as part of emergency planning to look at different scenarios, depending on the numbers of patients who will need to be treated or helped in their recovery.

Here is a look at the picture across Wales.

Image source, Reuters

A man with serious heart problems says he is stranded in South Africa with just days of medication left.

Phil Walker, 57, has 60% heart function after a heart attack left him needing a quadruple heart bypass operation.

Mr Walker and partner Michelle Hall were due to fly back with Virgin Atlantic on Monday, but their flights were cancelled due to coronavirus.

Virgin Atlantic apologised and said it was working to get Mr Walker and Ms Hall home as a priority.

Image source, Family photo

Here’s the latest on the coronavirus in Wales for Thursday:

• A total of 98 people with coronavirus have died in Wales
• 1,837 people have tested positive for Covid-19, but the true figure is likely to be much higher
• A senior doctor at Wales' biggest hospital says it's ready for a "huge wave" of cases
• A pharmaceutical company denies having a deal with the Welsh Government for extra Covid-19 tests
• Some schools will stay open during the Easter holiday in order to teach vulnerable children and the children of key workers