No further coronavirus deaths have been reported in Wales for the second day running, but the number of positive cases has risen by 18.

The number of people who have contracted the virus across the country has now reached 16,871 according to figures released by Public Health Wales this afternoon.

So far, 1,545 people have died, although the true number is likely to be much higher.

In the last 24 hours, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board recorded 10 new cases.

It brings the total number of cumulative cases in the North Wales health board area to 4,346.

The health board, which accounts for 22% of the Welsh population, has the highest death toll at 373.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg has the second highest number of deaths in Wales with 333.

This has been described as a stunning breakthrough in the battle against coronavirus
Paramedic holds a blood sample, during a coronavirus antibody testing program

Since the outbreak began:

* 454 people have now tested positive in Anglesey (up one from yesterday)

* 703 in Conwy (up four)

* 768 in Denbighshire (no increase)

* 665 in Flintshire (no increase)

* 577 in Gwynedd (no increase)

* 1,179 in Wrexham (up five in the last 24 hours)

Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “Public Health Wales’ user-friendly data dashboard takes information from a range of different sources.

"The total number of positive cases now includes those reported from non-NHS Wales laboratories, which are subject to ongoing de-duplication, refinement and reconciliation. 

"This may result in fluctuation of the total positive cases as this process takes place.

“It should be noted that the cases from non-NHS Wales laboratories are not new cases, and have been on the dashboard for a number of weeks. 

"They have previously been reported on a separate tab, but are now incorporated into the totals for the local authority area and Health Board area in which the patient resides, to give a complete picture for Wales."

Updates on current incidents

Dr Shankar added: “The outbreak associated with the workforce at the Rowan Foods plant in Wrexham remains active, although the number of reported cases has slowed considerably.

"The total number of positive cases associated with this outbreak is 305 and more updates will be issued in the coming days.

“The picture emerging from the 2 Sisters factory in Llangefni continues to improve. 

"The total number of positive cases associated with the outbreak is now 221, which is to be expected when any focused testing process is put in place and is not a cause for concern.

“In addition, the total number of positive case identified at the Kepak Merthyr meat processing plant is 138 since April. 

"The Incident Management Team’s investigations are continuing. No outbreak has been declared but all necessary investigations and control measures are being undertaken.

“The Food Standards Agency advise that it is very unlikely that you can catch coronavirus from food.  Coronavirus is a respiratory illness.  It is not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging."