AT LEAST 16 people who were aboard a flight from Zante to Cardiff on August 25 have tested positive for coronavirus.

All 16 were part of three separate groups, and the test, trace and protect system is continuing to be carried out after another flight arrived in Cardiff on Tuesday evening this week.

In the last seven days in Cardiff and the Vale there have been 68 new cases, with 59 of them coming in Cardiff.

Public Health Wales could not say how many people on board the flights lived in the Vale.

Dr Robin Howe, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response, said: “All passengers who travelled on the TUI flight from Zante to Cardiff last night (1 September) received a letter from Public Health Wales advising that they should self-isolate on their return home. Testing is also being arranged for all passengers who were on board last night’s flight.

“Cardiff and Vale Test Trace Protect and Public Health Wales have identified at least sixteen confirmed cases from three different parties who were on TUI Flight 6215 from Zante to Cardiff on 25 August. 

“Seven out of the 16 were infectious at the time of flying.

“As a result, we are advising that all passengers on this flight are considered close contacts and must self-isolate. 

“All passengers are being followed up by their local Test Trace Protect teams They should all self-isolate at home, as they may become infectious, even if they have no symptoms. Anyone with symptoms should book a test without delay.”

Two flights also arrived in Bristol from Zante on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Speaking on Wednesday health minister Vaughan Gething told Senedd members: "There are concerns from our public health teams that the current advice and control measures for returning travellers are insufficient.

“Unfortunately our consultants in communicable disease control have several examples of Covid-19 positive travellers who have not self-isolated on return to Wales.

“It is almost certain that travellers returning to Wales from areas of higher Covid-19 incidence will lead to further seeding of infections within Wales.

“Without action it is likely that there will be significant health and economic impacts arising from new clusters of infections.”

Tui has said it will no longer be offering holidays to the resort of Laganas on the Greek island of Zante from Thursday.

Announcing the end of packages to Laganas, Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK and Ireland, said: “Laganas is a popular resort with young people who traditionally holiday in large groups of friends.

“The health and safety of our colleagues and customers is our primary concern and recent cases shows that some customers are not following social distancing and Covid safety measures."