Summary

  • Wales' official Covid-19 death toll jumps to 751 after a further 110 reported fatalities

  • The increase includes 84 backdated deaths in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board area of north Wales due to a delay in the reporting process

  • First Minister Mark Drakeford says the reporting delay will be investigated but claims it did not affect the overall picture

  • Tougher rules from Saturday will make it clear people cannot stay or exercise outside their area

  • But some restrictions in Wales could be eased at the end of the current three-week lockdown period, the first minister says

  • Debenhams warns its biggest stores in Wales could shut permanently unless the Welsh Government agrees to offer business rates relief

  1. Thank you and goodnightpublished at 22:56 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Thank you for following our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic in Wales.

    The Saturday team will be bringing you all the latest news from 08:00 tomorrow morning.

    Have a lovely evening and stay safe.

  2. Laura Ashley factory makes scrubs in Covid-19 fightpublished at 22:30 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    A Laura Ashley factory is among businesses manufacturing for the NHS to battle coronavirus.

    The firm's Texplan factory, in Newtown, are making hospital scrubs while Hay-on-Wye's TS Henderson & Co is making test equipment and oxygen supplies.

    TS Henderson has previously made parts for Rolls-Royce.

    Managing director Rob Henderson said: "At an hour of need, we’re playing our part.

    "Our existing and new customers in the supply chain are awesome to work with, but we are all inspired by those in the NHS who are saving lives on the front line.”

  3. Cardiff cemeteries to reopenpublished at 22:06 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Western Cemetery in Ely, CardiffImage source, Tony Hodge/ Geograph

    Cemeteries in Cardiff are set to reopen with strict social distancing measures in place, so people can visit loved ones' graves.

    The council closed cemetery gates at the start of April after reports of people having picnics, playing football and groups of people gathering in the grounds, despite the coronavirus restrictions.

    A 73-year-old man, who lost his wife after a short illness six years ago, said it had been heartbreaking not to be able to visit her grave.

    But from tomorrow four of the city's cemeteries will reopen, with council workers and police monitoring strict social distancing measures for visitors.

    But they have urged people only to visit cemeteries if they are attending a grave or for a funeral.

    Councillor Michael Michael said the closure was always a temporary measure which had been kept under review.

    "We know this has been a difficult time for those who have been unable to visit the grave of their loved ones, and I would ask people to ensure that, now these important spaces are open, they use them appropriately and maintain a safe distance from others if they do visit," he said.

  4. Delay in reporting deaths 'smacks of incompetence'published at 21:41 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    A health board failing to publish daily figures for those who have died with coronavirus, "smacks of incompetence", a Conservative assembly member has said.

    Betsi Cadwaladr health board reported 84 deaths in the north Wales area on Thursday.

    It made it look like Wales had seen the biggest daily jump in confirmed deaths to date - 110 - but it included Betsi Cadwaladr's figures which were for a whole month.

    The health board said the delay was due to issues with its reporting system.

    But Tory AM Mark Isherwood said whether the board said they were "delayed" or retrospectively published, the 84 deaths had gone "unreported".

    “I am staggered as to how they could have been missed, and I am equally concerned as to how this may have skewed the overall figures and the approach to combating coronavirus.

    “It smacks of incompetence of the highest level, and will create further anxiety for people who have experienced the problems of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – which has been in special measures for nearly five years – as we go through this pandemic.”

    Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
  5. Are apps the way to lift the lockdown?published at 21:20 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    A woman on a smartphoneImage source, Getty Images

    Should we be more relaxed about government surveillance, if it helps combat the coronavirus?

    Read more here.

  6. 'Wales needs more intensive care staff to cope'published at 21:00 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    More intensive care staff and specialist doctors need to be recruited if Wales is to cope with coronavirus and beyond, a senior doctor says.

    Bethan Gibson, deputy head of the training programme for intensive care in Wales, said the virus highlighted the lack of such staff.

    "We need to train more trainees to fill the gaps that were already there. And then we need to train even more trainees to fill the gaps that will be there because of Covid," she said.

    The Welsh Government said its emergency recruitment drive has signed up more than 2,000 people to return to the NHS to help during the crisis, and nearly 900 staff have already completed critical care training.

    Intensive careImage source, Getty Images
  7. Captain Tom steals Sir Tom Jones's chart-topping recordpublished at 20:47 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Sir Tom Jones has lost his claim to be the oldest person to have a number one hit record to Captain Tom Moore.

    The 99-year-old fundraiser was recognised as the oldest person to top the official UK pop charts because of his appearance with Michael Ball on a cover version of You'll Never Walk Alone.

    Guinness World Records said the accolade was previously held by Sir Tom, who was 68 when he sang on 2009 charity single Barry Islands in the Stream.

    The Welsh star was quick to congratulate his successor.

    "Capt Moore, from one Tom to another, congratulations on beating my chart record," he said.

    "If I was going to lose to anybody, it's an honour to have lost to you, with all you have done raising money for the NHS."

    As of Friday evening, Capt Moore had raised more than £28.6m by walking around the garden at his home in Bedfordshire.

    Captain Tom and Michael Ball celebrate their number one songImage source, Official Charts Company
    Image caption,

    Captain Tom and Michael Ball celebrate their number one

  8. Lockdown with Wales football captain Sophie Inglepublished at 20:31 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Wales football captain Sophie Ingle is coping with life in lockdown by doing family quizzes and yoga - not re-watching her wonder goal for Chelsea.

    "I've not watched it on lockdown but when I scored I actually did watch it a few times," she said.

    She has also been doing different things away from football "which really helps".

  9. First two ventilated patients leave hospital after recoverypublished at 20:12 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Danny Egan leaving hospital after being treated for coronavirusImage source, Swansea Bay UHB
    Image caption,

    Danny Egan leaving hospital after being treated for coronavirus

    A pensioner and an NHS nurse have become the first two ventilated patients to leave a hospital in Wales after having coronavirus.

    Danny Egan, 73, and charge nurse David Courtney-Williams, 48, were both applauded by staff as they were discharged from Swansea's Morriston Hospital.

    Both men were "extremely unwell" when they were put on ventilators in intensive care.

    On Tuesday, Mr Courtney-Williams, a nurse at Swansea's Singleton Hospital, gave a thumbs-up as he was clapped.

    Within an hour, retired service engineer Mr Egan, from Port Talbot, was also applauded following his recovery

    He told staff the first thing he would do was kiss his wife.

    Mr Egan had no memory of falling ill.

    He said: "We went out, my son's birthday, and the next thing I was waking up in a ward.

    "I didn't have any socks on and people were trying to tell me to move my feet, and I thought, 'How can I move my feet? Where am I?'"

    Nurse David Courtney-Williams was cheered after his recoveryImage source, Swansea Bay UHB
    Image caption,

    Nurse David Courtney-Williams was cheered after his recovery

  10. Businesses may decide to shut up shop for good, MP warnspublished at 19:58 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Many businesses may decide not to reopen after lockdown restrictions are lifted, a Welsh MP has warned.

    Stephen Crabb MP, who chairs the Welsh Affairs committee, said many had already been struggling to survive before having to close due to the social-distancing measures.

    He told BBC Radio Wales Drive: "They may just make the decision that it's better shutting up shop altogether."

    Debenhams has warned its major stores across Wales may never reopen, unless the Welsh Government reverses a decision on business rates relief.

    In England all retail, leisure and hospitality firms have been granted a business rates holiday, but in Wales this does not include stores with a rateable value of over £500,000.

    The committee has launched an inquiry into the economic consequences of the pandemic and how to revive the nation's fortunes.

    The Preseli Pembrokeshire MP said many areas of Wales such as those relying on farming and tourism were "vulnerable at the best of times" and were now "very, very vulnerable".

    Woman in coffee shopImage source, Getty Images
  11. 'We've lost so many so quickly'published at 19:38 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    A nursing home has seen the "catastrophic" death of 15 residents in a month, its manager has said.

    Fourteen of the elderly residents at Tregwilym Lodge in Rogerstone, Newport, had symptoms of Covid-19, but none of them were tested.

    General manager Karen Healey said one or two residents would be expected to die in a normal month.

    The Welsh Government said its policy was now to test all care home residents with coronavirus symptoms.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: We've lost so many so quickly, says nursing home manager

  12. 'Tentative signs of progress', says UK governmentpublished at 19:31 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    There are “tentative signs of progress" in the fight against coronavirus, due to the public adhering to social distancing measures, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said.

    During the daily Downing Street press conference, Mr Shapps announced a new package of measures for transport - including freight services, to bring in crucial goods, such as medicines.

    The transport support unit is being launched by the UK government, which will use 9,000 vehicles to help deliver services during the pandemic, such as distributing packages to vulnerable people.

    Mr Shapps said there would also be a review looking to see if drones could be used to deliver medical supplies.

    As transport is devolved in Wales, it would appear the measures only apply in England, with the UK government saying the support announced today was being funded from existing Department for Transport budgets.

    Grant Shapps
  13. How close is the UK to meeting the five tests to end lockdown?published at 19:28 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Reality Check

    The UK government has said there are five tests the UK must meet before lockdown restrictions can be eased.

    They include making sure the NHS can cope, and ensuring there is enough testing and personal protective equipment available to meet future demand.

    So, how close is the UK to meeting those tests? Our explainer sets out how far we’ve come:

    Read more: Are the five tests being met?

  14. ‘Lockdown won’t stop my autistic son’s daily market visits’published at 18:59 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Actor Richard Mylan has told BBC Radio 5 Live why he and his autistic son, Jaco, are continuing their important daily visits to Cardiff Market, despite being in lockdown.

    They’ve previously visited the market hundreds of times as it closes up for the night – now it’s closed indefinitely but it’s still a key feature of their daily walks.

    People with autism, like 14-year-old Jaco, will now be able to go out more than once a day for exercise under an easing of restrictions by the Welsh Government.

    Speaking to Rachel Burden, Richard Mylan, who appeared in BBC drama Waterloo Road, said “autistic people can deal with change, as long as it’s gradual and it’s explained”.

  15. Farmers' markets reopen with online servicepublished at 18:41 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Farmers have overcome lockdown to hold markets again - thanks to internet technology.

    Stallholders in Haverfordwest, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron have joined forces to launch a click-and-collect service.

    About 25 food producers have signed up to an online hub where customers can order.

    It was set up by Alastair Vince, owner of Blaencamel Farm, in Cilcennin, near Lampeter.

    They supply fruit and vegetables across Wales and were left with no way to sell their produce when lockdown came into force.

    "It's taken off really quickly - we've had 68 orders today across 15 producers in Pembrokeshire, and it looks set to continue while we're in lockdown," Mr Vince said.

  16. Road traffic up slightly across the UKpublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    More traffic has been seen on UK roads in recent days, England's deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries has said.

    During the Downing Street daily briefing, Dr Harries said the data shows a very slight increase in transport use compared to last week.

    It also shows use of other modes of transport remains down by more than 95% when compared with February.

    Transport graphImage source, UK government
  17. Swansea City join Cardiff in wage deferralspublished at 18:13 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    Championship sides Cardiff City and Swansea City have agreed partial wage deferrals with their players.

    Swansea's first team squad have agreed to take "a 20% conditional wage deferral for the next three months".

    Chairman Trevor Birch, sporting director Leon Britton and manager Steve Cooper had already agreed deferrals.

    The Bluebirds' deferral with players is also for three months while manager Neil Harris and chief executive Ken Choo had already accepted wage cuts.

    The moves come with football in the UK suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Cardiff City v Swansea City, January 2020Image source, Getty Images
  18. Call for investment in intensive carepublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    A doctor says the coronavirus outbreak has highlighted the need for investment in intensive care in Wales.

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  19. Deaths reporting system to be investigated, says First Ministerpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 24 April 2020

    The recording of deaths of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus is to be investigated after a Welsh health board failed to report numbers.

    First Minister Mark Drakeford said it was important that "accurate information" was reported by health boards so people could "have confidence" in what was being published.

    Betsi Cadwaladr health board, which is responsible for the care of people in north Wales, reported 84 deaths over the course of a month for the first time today citing issues with its reporting system.

    Public Health Wales (PHW) explained this was the reason for the biggest single daily jump in confirmed deaths of people with coronavirus - 110 - taking the total to 751.

    Mr Drakeford said: "The additional deaths reported by Betsi Cadwaladr don't change the overall picture, but I have asked for an assurance this afternoon that this is being thoroughly checked, that the whole system is being investigated, so that we can say confidently on Monday that the figures we are reporting through Public Health Wales genuinely represent an accurate picture in every part of Wales".

    PHW has repeatedly warned that the number of deaths could be higher than the figures show, as they only include those who died in hospitals, and some care homes, and whose tests were analysed in a lab.

    blood test with Covid 19 written on itImage source, Getty Images