Half of Wales' local authorities are now reporting a Covid infection rate of more than 2,000 cases per 100,000 population.
The 11 council areas with rates this high are now among the hardest-hit in the UK as case levels have been falling in London. Only Derry City and Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh (both in Northern Ireland) and Thurrock in Essex have higher rates than the hardest-hit Welsh local authority Merthyr Tydfil.
Latest figures from Public Health Wales published on Tuesday, January 4 show that Wales' overall seven-day case rate now stands at a whopping 1,986.5 per 100,000.
That is a huge rise on the 1,415 reported on Sunday and by far the most since the pandemic began. To read the full bulletin please go here.
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Every single local authority reported a rise in their infection rate when compared to the previous figures on Sunday, with some seeing their numbers almost double.
The highly-infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19 has quickly become the dominant strain in Wales and has spread rapidly since the start of December.
Here are the 11 local authorities with seven-day infection rates above 2,000 cases (between December 24 and 30):
1. Rhondda Cynon Taf: 2,638.6 (up from 1,741.7)
2. Merthyr Tydfil: 2,557.8 (up from 1,826.7)
3. Blaenau Gwent: 2,503.5 (up from 1,282.5)
4. Torfaen: 2,294.6 (up from 1,571.9)
5. Bridgend: 2,136 (up from 1,486.6)
6. Newport: 2,127 (up from 1,540.6)
7. Neath Port Talbot: 2,125.4 (up from 1,324.4)
8. Conwy: 2,099.8 (up from 1,534.1)
9. Caerphilly: 2,092.5 (up from 1,332)
10. Vale of Glamorgan: 2,083.3 (up from 1,524.8)
11. Swansea: 2,076.6 (up from 1,376.6)
Wales total: 1,986.5 (up from 1415.4 )
All local authorities in Wales are now reporting seven-day infection rates of more than 1,000, with Monmouthshire and Anglesey having the lowest rates.
And for the first time ever, more than half (51.1%) of PCR tests carried out between December 24 and 30 came back as positive. In Rhondda Cynon Taf 54.4% of tests were returned as positive - the highest percentage in Wales.
The Welsh Government confirmed on December 30 that cases are highest among 20 to 29-year-olds and 30 to 39-year-olds. However, the country is now starting to see the case rates increase in the older age groups which heightens the risk of a rise in hospital admissions.
Between December 29 and 31, the number of people with Covid in general and acute beds went up from 609 to 697. However, the number of patients needing an invasive ventilated bed - the highest form of care - thankfully remained static.
On Boxing Day the Welsh Government reintroduced tighter restrictions in the wake of the Omicron variant. The regulations bring back stricter measures for hospitality businesses, including licensed premises, and in cinemas and theatres.
The Cabinet will continue to review the position in Wales on a weekly basis.
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