THE total number of new coronavirus cases in Herefordshire is falling, but there are still four areas where numbers are rising.

The overall coronavirus infection rate in Herefordshire has fallen to 213.7 cases per 100,00 people.

That figure, for the seven days to July 24, is based on the number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in either a lab-reported or rapid lateral flow test, by specimen date.

And according to the data from Public Health England, that was down from 278.0 cases per 100,000 the week before.

The reason for that is during the most recent week covered by the figures, 412 new cases were found – 124 fewer than the seven days before.

But despite the falling rate for the county, some areas in Herefordshire are still seeing cases rise.

The data looks at cases by "middle super output area", which are used in the reporting of small area statistics.

There are 23 of these areas in Herefordshire, and four have seen cases rise.

Bromyard and Bishop's Frome reported 24 cases in the seven days to July 23, four more than the week before.

Hereford South West also reported a rise, with 20 cases over the seven-day period – up by two.

In Belmont, Madley and Clehonger, 19 cases were reported in the week to July 23, a rise of eight.

And finally in Leominster North, there were 17 cases reported – nine more than the week before.