Cardiff is on the verge of entering the Welsh Government’s coronavirus “red zone”, the city’s council leader has warned.

The number of cases per 100,000 population now stands at 38.2, while 3.8 per cent of tests are positive. Hospital emergency department attendance has also risen sharply in the last week.

Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff Council, said: “As we have seen over the past week, the situation can change quickly.

“If case numbers continue to rise over the weekend there is a very real possibility that Cardiff will enter into the Welsh Government’s ‘red zone.’

“If that were to happen then I fully expect that we will be proposing further restrictions, as we have seen elsewhere in the city region and potentially doing so at speed.

“This might include restrictions on household meetings and on travel outside of Cardiff.”

Local lockdowns are already in place in many areas surrounding Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan: Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Bridgend.

Cllr Thomas said: “My message to the people of Cardiff is that we must all recommit ourselves to the public health guidelines and redouble our efforts in order to protect our families, our friends, and ourselves from harm.

“These are worrying times so let’s be there for each other and do right by one and another.”