There are now 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales - an increase of 22 in the last 24 hours.

Eleven people have died in the UK after contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, and yesterday afternoon it was announced that the number of confirmed infections across the country had reached 798.

Dr Chris Williams, incident director for Public Health Wales, said officials were now identifying and contacting "close contacts" of the new cases in Wales.

It comes as the UK government plans to introduce emergency laws next week to ban mass gatherings of more than 500 people in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.

COVID-19: The scientific advice

A Whitehall source said the government has drafted emergency legislation to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations.


The laws could also give police and immigration officers the power to detain people if they are suspected of being infected and the ability to direct schools to stay open, The Times reported.

The newspaper said the laws could remain in place for two years.

In other developments:

Low cost airline Jet2 cancels all flights to Spain

cancels all flights to Spain The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled

is among a number of sporting events cancelled Anyone entering New Zealand will have to self-isolate for 14 days

will have to self-isolate for 14 days US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency

has declared the outbreak a More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University

Italy recorded 250 cases in a day, bringing its total to almost 18,000

So far, ministers have resisted a move to ban mass gatherings even though some major sporting events including the London Marathon and all Premier League matches have already been postponed.

Seven Premier League games and 33 Football League fixtures were due to be played today, as well as the final round of Six Nations fixtures.

The Whitehall source said: "Ministers are working with the chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer on our plan to stop various types of public event, including mass gatherings, beginning next week.

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"We are also talking to businesses and other bodies about the timing of moving towards much more widespread working from home."

The Republic of Ireland is to close all schools and childcare facilities and other public spaces like museums, while Scotland has banned gatherings of more than 500.

Irish deputy prime minister Simon Coveney criticised the UK government this week for allowing the Cheltenham Festival to go ahead.

COVID-19: Ireland response

Tens of thousands of horse racing fans attended Prestbury Park for the showpiece event despite the global coronavirus pandemic.

The Whitehall source said the government, in dealing with coronavirus, has been "concerned" about the burden that large events put on public services including the NHS and police.

The source added: "We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations. We will publish this legislation next week."

PM : 'Families will lose loved ones before their time'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced new measures on Thursday as the government's coronavirus response escalated to the second phase - moving from trying to contain the virus to delaying its spread.

Anyone with a new persistent cough or a high temperature will now have to self-isolate and stay at home for seven days, and schools are being urged to cancel planned trips abroad.

The UK's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said the government was not looking to "suppress" the disease entirely but to help create a "herd immunity in the UK" while protecting the most vulnerable from it.

He told Sky News around 60% of the UK population will need to become infected with coronavirus in order for society to have such immunity.

What is herd immunity?

Sir Patrick said some of the social distancing measures put in place, including self-isolating for seven days if symptoms develop, were "actually quite extreme".

Sky News will broadcast a special coronavirus programme at 6.30pm tonight, with experts answering your questions #AskSkyNews