THE impact of the new strain of coronavirus on the NHS in Wales will be “profound” if cases continue to rise unchecked, the First Minister has said. Mark Drakeford said the new variant provides “better understanding” for the rapid increase in cases and people being admitted to hospital in Wales from late November. The First Minister, alongside Professor Chris Jones, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said the latest information reinforced the need for social distancing and hygiene measures. "The new information simply provided a new urgency," Mr Drakeford said. "As we move into January, we will now be mitigating the impact of the virus and the new variant.