People are being reminded to test regularly, especially after attended events with a large audience, with 106 new cases of COVID-19 being recorded in Herefordshire yesterday (Wednesday).

Data from Public Health England shows that 106 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the county, taking the total number of cases of Coronavirus recorded in Herefordshire since the start of the pandemic in early 2020 to 10,052.

With a return to large scale events and restrictions in England eased, people are still advised to test regularly to help limit the spread of the virus.

The vast majority of these new cases are in those aged between 15-24, with the 15-19 age range seeing an infection rate for the seven day period ending 13th August of 1,055 cases per 100,000 population and the 20-24 age bracket seeing an infection rate for the same period of 1,254 cases per 100,000 population.

The two areas of Herefordshire with the highest infection rates for the seven day period ending 13th August remain in Hereford City, with Hereford Central seeing an infection rate during this period of 576.1 cases per 100,000 population and Hereford West seeing an infection rate for the same period of 460 cases per 100,000 population.

The following information on testing is from Herefordshire Council.

Symptom-free home testing kits

Regular Covid-19 testing for people without symptoms is critical for protecting the population and stopping the spread of the virus. As part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, regular twice weekly testing at home is becoming available for more people.

How it works

You can collect two packs of seven lateral flow device test kits from a test site.

Where and when to collect

There is no need to book an appointment to collect a test kit. There are a number of collection points, including local pharmacies, across Herefordshire.

People aged over 18 without symptoms can visit a participating local pharmacy and collect a box of seven rapid tests to use twice a week at home.

Visit NHS Site Finder to find your nearest collection point.

Results

The instructions included with your test kit explain what to do if your test is positive, negative or void. It also explains how to register with NHS Test and Trace.

If the result is positive, you must:

Home delivery

If you cannot get tested at your workplace, school, college or university, or you are unable to go to a test site or collect test kits, you can order a home test kit online if:

  • You do not have coronavirus symptoms
  • You live in England
  • You’re 18 or older
  • You have not been told to self-isolate