A person has tested positive for coronavirus in Wales, marking the country's first case.

It is understood the patient was from the Swansea area and had recently travelled back from northern Italy.

Public Health Wales is working to identify the patient's close contacts.

The patient is being treated at a hospital in England.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK is now 19. Six more cases have been confirmed on Thursday and Friday, including the first in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Frank Atherton, said: “I can confirm that one patient in Wales has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

“All appropriate measures to provide care for the individual and to reduce the risk of transmission to others are being taken. I can also confirm that the patient had travelled back to Wales from Northern Italy, where the virus was contracted.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to assure the public that Wales and the whole of the UK is well prepared for these types of incidents. Working with our partners in Wales and the UK, we have implemented our planned response, with robust infection control measures in place to protect the health of the public.”