Public Health Wales has confirmed 34 new cases of coronavirus bringing the total number to 94.
Mark Drakeford, first minister of Wales, issued a video message describing how the Welsh Government had been “working hard to prepare for what is to come”.
“We are working around the clock with experts here in Wales and around the United Kingdom to do everything we possibly can to protect you and your families,” he said.
“Every decision we make is based on the best expert public health advice.
“It’s really important in facing the coronavirus that we take the right decisions at the right time.”
Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the Covid-19 outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “We can confirm that 34 new cases have tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 94.
“Public Health Wales is working within the phased approach to tackling the novel coronavirus outlined in the UK Coronavirus Action Plan – to contain, delay, research and mitigate.
“We are working with our partners in the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and others now that we have entered the ‘delay’ phase.
“This is now not just an attempt to contain the disease, as far as possible, but to delay its spread.”
He added, “The move into the ‘delay’ phase, will include working closely with health boards, NHS 111 and the Welsh Government towards transitioning away from community testing and contact tracing.
“Testing will now focus on cases admitted to hospital, in line with national guidance, and based on symptoms and severity.
“The move away from community testing gives us greater capacity to test in hospital settings, where the most vulnerable patients will be cared for.”
Professor Francois Balloux, of University College London warned the government’s chief scientific advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance, that his approach to the virus is a “big gamble.”
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