THERE have been dozens of newly confirmed coronavirus cases in North Wales as the latest figures are revealed by public health officials.

Data released by Public Health Wales shows that as of May 23, Wrexham saw a spike of 37 new cases bringing the county total to 483 – the highest on record by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

There was a total of nine new cases each identified in the county areas of Conwy, Flintshire and on Anglesey. Five new positive tests for the virus were returned in Gwynedd and three in Denbighshire.

Across North Wales, this means there has been 72 new cases bringing the regions total to 2,399.

Sadly, BCUHB recorded three new deaths bringing the total number of those losing their life to this virus up to 226.

Across Wales to date, there has been a total of 13,169 positive cases and 1,260 deaths.

Dr Chris Williams, 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.”

Public Health Wales, working with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, is recruiting 500 participants as part of the Oxford Vaccine Group COVID-19 vaccine trial.

Dr Williams continued: “The aim of this study is to find a safe vaccine that will develop immunity against the virus and thus prevent the disease. Co-ordinated by Health and Care Research Wales, this is a collaboration between Public Health Wales, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and the Centre for Trials Research at Cardiff University

“This is an important study to test the effectiveness of one of the main candidate vaccines for COVID-19 in Wales. If successful, vaccination will provide a route out of this pandemic. We will be recruiting participants for screening and administration of vaccine, and monitoring outcomes and safety.

“Public Health Wales has also been working in partnership with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics on new Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody tests. In South Wales production is now well underway on the tests, which can detect antibodies that can be used to identify an immune response and may be critical in back-to-work strategies.

“Antibody testing is an important part of our strategy to counter the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to help us understand who has had the disease. Knowing that the production of the test will be local to us in Wales was of great importance to us as we determined which suppliers to rely on.”