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Covid: Cases 'rapidly increasing' in Wales, says Drakeford

Lateral flow tests will remain free in Wales amid a "rapid increase" in Covid cases, the first minister has said.

It comes as Mark Drakeford confirmed self-isolation rules will be scrapped in Wales from 28 March.

Mr Drakeford added the surge in cases is being driven by the BA.2. subtype of the Omicron variant.

"It's a faster moving, even more transmissible form of the virus than the Omicron wave," he said.

25 March 2022

Welsh government

Omicron variant

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