AS THE county records its highest number of coronavirus cases in a single day Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council is urging residents to support the firebreak lockdown.

Numbers continue to rise across the county with 47 new cases confirmed today.

A number of those could have been at the Bethshan care home in Newtown, which confirmed a number of staff and residents had tested positive for Covid-19.

The number of cases over the last seven days mean that the infection rate is now 83.1 new cases per 100,000 population in the county, which borders Herefordshire.

This is the highest rate ever seen in Powys and the council and health board have issued warnings to the public to follow the rules.

Coun James Evans, Powys County Council's cabinet member for economic development, housing and regulatory Service, said: “Confirmed coronavirus cases are at the highest rates we have ever seen in the county.

"Cases are being identified in all our communities right across Powys. We can see that the infection is being spread in a wide range of settings this includes within households, social gatherings, workplaces and care homes.

“The actions we all take are vital to prevent a further rise in coronavirus cases. We all share a personal responsibility to controlling the spread of the virus. The situation can change very quickly.

"Our Test Trace Protect team here in Powys is working tirelessly to ensure that positive cases are contact traced, that contacts are advised self-isolate for 14 days, and that symptomatic contacts are offered testing.

"If you are identified as a confirmed contact, our Powys contact tracing team will call you from 02921 961133.

Coun Evans added: “Already the actions taken by Powys residents to provide information about their contacts has helped prevent many infections across the county. If you are called by a contact tracer, please help them in their vital work to Keep Powys Safe.

“We are grateful to everyone for supporting the work of the team.”

Wales is in the middle of a firebreak lockdown, which will run until November 9. People have been told to stay at home, and pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops told to close.

Stuart Bourne, director of public health for Powys Teaching Health Board, said: “It is vital that everyone follows the current firebreak restrictions in place in Wales until November 9.

“The firebreak will save lives and help to protect the NHS.

“If we come into contact with fewer people, we will stop the chain of infection, help the NHS cope, and save lives

“It is important for all of us to remember that Coronavirus is still a very real threat to public health. All of us can help to Keep Powys Safe.”