A NEW tool created by Oxford University researchers reveals how the North Wales region could be affected by a second wave of the coronavirus.

Experts have created an interactive map which shows hotspots that could be adversely affected by a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

At-risk regions have been identified based on the number of ‘vulnerable’ people and available hospital resources on a ceremonial county level.

The two regions covering North Wales counties are labelled as Clwyd – which includes Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire – and Gwynedd – which includes Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey.

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Oxford University map reveals where second wave of COVID-19 could hit Wales hardest [Image/Oxford Unversity]

The map also considers data based on local population age, density, social deprivation and density.

The data predicts that both regions are higher-risk areas compared to other Welsh ceremonial counties.

In the Clwyd region, it is estimated there could be just under nine hospitalisations per 1,000 people in ‘general care’ and just three people in acute care.

The area’s critical care capacity is 22 beds and the map predicts that just under three of these could be taken up by coronavirus patients.

Clywd has an almost identical hospitalisation rate than neighbouring Gwynedd where there could be nine general care hospitalisations per 1,000 people, with just over three in acute care.

The area’s critical care capacity is much lower - with nine beds and the map foresees that three of these could be taken up by COVID patients.

The researchers digital map predicts that the worst hit region in Wales could be Powys.

The map data predicts that the ceremonial Powys region could see ten people in general care and just over three in acute care.

South Glamorgan – which includes the capital city of Cardiff – appears to be the least impacted area in Wales, according to researcher predictions.

The map shows that there could seven general care hospitalisations per 1,000 people, with just over two in acute care.

To view the map, click here