THERE has been a rise in the number of people testing positive for Covid in Herefordshire.

In the seven days to Wednesday, January 26, a UK Government heatmap showed the areas in Herefordshire with the highest number of new Covid cases.

Cases rose in all but three of Herefordshire's 23 areas compared with data from January 20.

Current coronavirus hotspots in the county, those with the highest infection rates, include:

  • Hereford South West: areas such as Hunderton and Newton Farm
  • ​Hereford Central: areas such as the city centre, parts of the College Estate and Portfields
  • Leominster South: areas such as Etnam Street, Mortimer Street, Ivington and Stretford
  • Ross-on-Wye

The infection rate – the number of cases per 100,000 people – for those areas were all above the UK average of 1,036.4.

Some 17 of Herefordshire's areas were above this national average.

The map breaks Herefordshire down into 23 sections known as middle super output areas.

These are used to try and improve the reporting of small area statistics, with an average population of around 7,200 people in England and Wales.

In total, Herefordshire reported 2,460 cases in the seven days to January 26, giving it an infection rate of 1270.6 cases per 100,000 people.

That was 531 more cases than the week before when the infection rate was 996.8. A fortnight ago it was 956.5.

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The Government website shows that cases in Herefordshire have risen by 27.5 per cent over the last week.

In individual areas, the number of new cases rose the most in Penyard, Llangarron and Goodrich; Ross-on-Wye, Kingstone and Kingsthorne; Ledbury; and Fownhope, Tarrington and Marcle.

Seven–day rates are expressed per 100,000 population and are calculated by dividing the seven-day count by the area population and multiplying by 100,000. This helps when comparing rates across the county.

On January 21, Dr Rebecca Howell-Jones, acting director of public health for Herefordshire Council, said the number of cases could be underreported due to changes in policy around PCR confirmatory testing.

Currently, anyone who gets a positive lateral flow test result should self-isolate immediately and does not need a confirmatory PCR test, those processed by a laboratory.

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Dr Howell-Jones added: "Herefordshire’s uptake of vaccination, including booster doses, has been really good.

"We encourage anyone who has yet to get vaccinated, or to have their booster, to take up the offer now. This is the best way to protect yourself, your family and the community.

"Visit the government website to find out where you can get your vaccine. Details of walk-ins in Herefordshire are available on the Taurus Healthcare website.

“Please remember to report your lateral flow test results via the government webpage. And, while PCR confirmatory tests are not now generally required, residents are reminded that they are needed to be eligible for the Test and Trace payment of £500.”