Audio By Carbonatix
The number of people in Wales with the new variant of coronavirus is likely to be a lot higher than currently known, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.
He told today's press briefing: “The figures we have at the moment that we know of are over 600 cases of the new variant in Wales, but that is almost certainly, as our public health colleagues tell us, a significant underestimation.”
“Only a proportion” of the Welsh tests go to the two Lighthouse labs currently able to detect the new variant, he added.
Drakeford also said that discussions are underway to offer people working on Christmas Day “compensatory arrangements”.
With the latest rules only allowing household mixing on 25 December there are concerns that some key workers may decline to work that day in order to spend time with their families.
In Northern Ireland, the government has offered flexibility on which day families can come together.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana needs a law to sustain constitutional reforms – CDD-Ghana
3 hours -
COVID fumigation audit: Auditor-General has a lot of questions to answer – Akwatia MP
3 hours -
Stranded Ghanaian medical graduates in Cuba appeal to Mahama for immediate return
3 hours -
GNFS contains fire outbreak at Teshie Lekma Road near Lekma Hospital
9 hours -
Samia Nkrumah rejects the narrative that Ghanaians were happy after Nkrumah’s overthrow
10 hours -
A Mother’s pain: Tribute by Ivan Baidoo’s mother
11 hours -
‘Forgive us for staying away’ — Samia Nkrumah leads family back to Nkroful, pledges to preserve Nkrumah’s legacy
11 hours -
Ernest Nuamah scores twice as Lyon beat Rennes
11 hours -
‘My dear Ivan’ – A father’s tribute to a son tragically killed
11 hours -
GNPC Explorco advances Voltaian Basin drilling preparations with 13.5km access road
11 hours -
Cabinet approves facility manager for Borteyman Sports Complex – Kofi Adams
12 hours -
Sanitation is improving; critics may be ‘living in another world’ – Salaga South MP replies Bekwai MP
12 hours -
Government must do more to tackle sanitation crisis – Bekwai MP
12 hours -
World Cleanup Day: GFF begins sanitation education in local communities
12 hours -
EU Ambassador, IGP discuss stronger cooperation on policing and security
12 hours