People are being urged to take extra care after a high number of Covid-19 cases have been identified in St Clears and the Amman Valley areas of Carmarthenshire.

At present the rate of infection in the Amman Valley area is 1,559.53 per 100,000, and 1,578.46 per 100,000 in St Clears (correct as at November 15).

Most cases in the Amman Valley have been linked to known social gatherings - around 30 cases have been linked to just one social venue - but as yet there are no clear links to known gatherings in St Clears.

As a result, Carmarthenshire County Council’s contact tracing team are urging people living, working and socialising at clubs, groups or local community venues in these areas to take extra care.

They are also urging older residents who have been invited for a booster jab to attend their appointments.

Although vaccinations offer the best personal protection against the virus, being fully vaccinated does not stop anyone catching or spreading the infection to others.

So, to help stop the spread of infection, anyone experiencing any of the Covid-19 or wider cold or flu-like symptoms; or anyone who has been in contact with someone who has recently tested positive for Covid-19, needs to book a PCR test at a local testing centre as soon as possible and self-isolate until the results are known.

Everyone in these areas is being asked to do their best to help stop the spread of infection - reducing social contact, social distancing and meeting outdoors where possible, wearing a mask where required, maintaining good hand hygiene, and staying at home if unwell.

Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Clr. Emlyn Dole, said: “We are monitoring cases in these areas closely and carrying out enhanced contact tracing to make links and help stop the spread of infection.

“Vaccinations offer the best personal protection against severe illness from the virus, but you can still pass it on even if you are fully vaccinated, so please if you are feeling unwell with cold or flu like symptoms - even if these are mild - book a PCR test and self-isolate until you get your results, and if our contact tracers get in touch please follow their advice.

“Our teams are making contact with social venues where people are most likely to gather offering extra support and advice, and we would like to thank everyone running these venues for their cooperation so far. We are aware that some social venues in the Amman Valley have closed voluntarily until the situation improves.”

If you are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms (new or continuous cough, high temperature, loss or change in taste or smell) or wider cold and flu-like symptoms that are new, persistent and/or unusual - even if they are mild - please self-isolate and book a test as soon as possible.

You can book a home testing kit to be sent to your home, or you can book a test at either the Carmarthen or Llanelli testing sites - visit gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test or call 119 (between 7am and 11pm). People with hearing or speech difficulties can call 18001 119.

For added reassurance, anyone without symptoms can also get rapid lateral flow Covid-19 tests delivered to their home, visit gov.wales for further information.

Guidance and advice for residents and businesses can be found at www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales