18 new cases of Coronavirus have been reported in North Wales, health chiefs have confirmed.

Public Health Wales announced on Monday that 133 new cases of the virus have been reported across Wales.

Of the 18 new cases reported in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area there were; nine in Wrexham, three in Denbighshire, two in Conwy, two in Flintshire, one in Gwynedd and one on Anglesey.

The total number of cases reported in each county is as follows: 1,429 in Wrexham, 829 in Denbighshire, 789 in Flintshire, 747 in Conwy, 633 in Gwynedd and 469 on Anglesey.

Public Health Wales also confirmed the total number of deaths reported in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area stands at 420.

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “As children return to schools, I understand that parents will be concerned at reports of positive cases.

"I would urge you to follow advice from the school or local authority and only withdraw children from school when asked to do so.

"Social distancing measures that are in place are designed to prevent the spread of the disease beyond the ‘bubbles’ established in schools.

“Again it is important that children maintain regular handwashing throughout the day, and on returning home, and parents’ help with this is vital.

“We are now seeing a steady increase in cases in a number of communities across Wales, and our investigations show that many of these have been transmitted due to a lack of social distancing.

“This has resulted in the spread of the virus to other groups of people.

“We continue to appeal to everyone to please remember that, even if you feel that you would not be badly affected by COVID-19 if you were to test positive, should you pass it on to older or more vulnerable family members, friends or colleagues it could be extremely serious and even fatal.

“Coronavirus has not gone away. It remains the responsibility of everyone to help prevent the spread of this virus, that is, by self-isolating when asked to do so, staying two metres away from others, and by washing hands regularly.

“I also want to remind the public that if you have recently travelled outside the UK there may be restrictions on your return. "These restrictions may be different in Wales than in other parts of the UK, and now include Portugal and some Greek Islands. Advice on travelling abroad, including the latest information on quarantine requirements on returning home, can be found on the Welsh Government and FCO websites.

“Anyone returning to Wales from countries which have been identified as high risk must quarantine in accordance with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regulations even if they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have had a negative test result.

"Anyone with suspected symptoms of COVID-19 infection - a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss of smell or taste (anosmia) - must self-isolate and seek an urgent test.

“Getting a coronavirus test is free and simple to do, either by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling the free number 119.

"Confirmed cases must isolate for 10 days, with members of their household isolating for 14 days until the risk of passing on further infection has gone. Combined, these simple but effective actions will ensure the virus does not spread."