MORE cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Powys.

Two new cases today are among 137 new cases found in Wales in total. There have now been 253 cases in Powys overall.

In Powys, 13 people are known to have died after contracting the disease – although Office for National Statistics figures released yesterday suggest the true number is closer to 75.

The data differs from that published by Public Health Wales, which shows 13 confirmed deaths of people with coronavirus in Powys, for a number of reasons.

The health body's figures relate to cases where coronavirus has been confirmed, and only include people who have died in hospital settings in Wales.

As such, this excludes people who have died in hospitals in England, those who have passed away in care homes, and those who died without having been tested to confirm the presence of coronavirus.

The ONS figures refer to all cases in which Covid-19 is mentioned on a death certificate, even where it may not have been the primary cause of death.

The figures also factor in additional deaths in previous weeks which had not been included previously.

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “With the upcoming Spring Bank Holiday, Public Health Wales reminds the public to continue to adhere to Welsh Government’s restrictions on non-essential travel, caravan and campsites, hotels, B&Bs and holiday accommodations, as well as the limited access to our national parks.

"We also remind owners of second homes in Wales to act responsibly and to avoid traveling to these homes until restrictions have been lifted.

“Social distancing rules remain in effect. Public Health Wales fully supports Welsh Government’s revised stay-at-home regulations. The message has not changed – anyone can get Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), anyone can spread it. Stay home, protect the NHS, and save lives."