CORONAVIRUS infection rates are falling in most parts of North Wales, but hospital case rates remain high. 

Public Health Wales figures released on Sunday (January 23) show that 496 new cases were confirmed in the region in the 24-hour period between Thursday and Friday.

Just a few weeks ago, daily case numbers in North Wales were up at over 2,000.

As of January 16, 349 people were being treated for Covid in North Wales hospitals - which is more than at any time of the pandemic, including the peak of the second wave this time last year.

Covid patients currently make up roughly 14 per cent of all inpatients at North Wales hospitals.

North Wales Pioneer: Source: Public Health Wales Source: Public Health Wales

Sadly, a further eight people who had tested Covid positive in the last 28 days died in Wales in the latest 24-hour period - taking Wales' total number of suspected Covid-related deaths to 6,771.

A total of 1.8 million people in Wales have now received a Covid booster jab.