New variant cases 'likely higher than known' in Wales

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.

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