SEVEN more people have died in Wales after testing positive for the coronavirus, taking the total up to 69, Public Health Wales have said.

112 new cases have been confirmed.

Cardiff and the Vale Health Board saw the biggest increase, with 31 new cases taking the total to 375.

While this is a smaller increase than expected, Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the Novel Coronavirus outbreak response at PHW said : "This should not automatically be considered a trend as case numbers can be subject to daily fluctuation”.

It comes as a company contracted to providing testing kits were unable to meet their contract.

“Of course we are disappointed,” said First Minister Mark Drakeford.

“Will it make a significant difference to the number of tests we are able to provide, we think not as we are able to draw on a wider consortium than a single firm, and the number of tests we were going to get through that firm, we will be able to make good through the wider consortium.”

More than 1,000 tests have been carried out on NHS staff, with 'many' of those staff back on the front lines, and that a new antibody test would be rolled out 'as soon as it has been validated'.

Dr Shankar added: “Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now circulating in every part of Wales.

"The single most important action we can all take in fighting Coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS, and save lives.

“We know that staying at home can be hard, and we want to thank each and every person across Wales for doing their bit to help slow the spread of the virus.

“Members of the public must adhere to social distancing rules about staying at home, and away from others, introduced by the UK and Welsh Government".