National Health Service (NHS) employees work outside a hospital (Picture: EPA)

A further seven patients in Wales who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total to 12.

The chief medical officer for Wales Dr Frank Atherton said: ‘It is with deep sadness I can confirm a further seven deaths of patients in Wales who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

‘This takes the number of deaths in Wales to 12.

‘My thoughts are with their families and friends, and I ask that their privacy is respected at this very sad time.’


The Welsh Government said five people had died in the Royal Gwent Hospital, one in Nevill Hall and one in Prince Charles Hospital.



All were in the high-risk category, either over 70 or with underlying health conditions, it added.

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It came as a Cabinet minister warned the Government will look at ‘other options’ if people ignore advice on social distancing to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said people need to realise it ‘isn’t a game’, after reports of crowds flocking to seaside resorts at the weekend.

He told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: ‘It is very serious. People need to follow that (medical) advice. If people don’t follow that advice then clearly we’ll have to consider other options, but none of us want to go down that route.’

Mr Jenrick said people can still go out for walks and take exercise, but they should stay away from others.

Meanwhile, the Government has released a list of the people most vulnerable to the virus, who are being asked to shield themselves from it by staying at home.

Some 1.5 million people in England will be sent letters “strongly advising” them not to go out for at least 12 weeks from Monday.

Recipients will include people who have received organ transplants, those with respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis and severe chronic bronchitis (COPD), and with some cancers such as those of the blood or bone marrow.

They also include some – though not all – patients receiving certain types of drug treatments, including those which suppress the immune system and leave the body less able to fight off the virus.

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