True number of coronavirus cases in Herefordshire revealed

Public Health England has published for the first time the Pillar 2 Covid-19 testing data for Herefordshire up to July 1, which includes those tests carried out at the city's Merton Meadow mobile testing centre.

The new information which has recently been made public will help Herefordshire Council accurately track the local spread of the virus.

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Coronavirus testing is organised through a system described as ‘pillars’. Pillar 1 data confirms swab testing in Public Health England (PHE) labs and NHS hospitals for those with a clinical need, and health and care workers.

Pillar 2 data includes swab testing by commercial providers; this includes the tests undertaken at the Merton Meadow mobile testing unit.

Herefordshire Council can confirm that Pillar 1 testing data published on July 1 confirmed 464 positive cases in Herefordshire (no change since June 26). Including Pillar 2 data on July 2 took the total confirmed cases in Herefordshire to 743.

The council said the publication of Pillar 2 data does not reflect a sudden increase in cases as 86% of the reported Pillar 2 cases occurred before the end of May.

In the last 14 days there have been fewer than five positive tests in Herefordshire, the council said.

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Karen Wright, director of public health for Herefordshire Council, said: “The Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 data shows Herefordshire currently has an infection rate of 386.8 per 100,000 people.

"To put this into context, the rate across England is 435.7 per 100,000 people. On a daily basis we review a number of different reports and data with our Public Health England colleagues to identify any concerning rises.

"While Covid-19 cases currently remain extremely low, we all need to play our part in keeping it this way. We need to keep the number of cases low, so that we can help prevent further lockdown, like that seen in Leicester.

"Please help prevent the spread of the virus by washing our hands thoroughly and regularly, avoiding crowded places and keeping a social distance of two metres where possible."