COVID-19 infection rates have risen significantly in Herefordshire over recent days and one age group in particular has been badly affected.
Infection rates in teenagers aged 15-19 have risen sharply, with close to 1 in 50 testing positive in the seven day period ending 17th August. The infection rate for this age group is now 1744 cases per 100,000 population. To some this will not come as a surprise, with many in this age bracket only just being eligible for a vaccine and those under 16 not eligible yet unless they have medical reasons for requiring a vaccine.
However, this will of course concern health officials, because despite many in this age group are unlikely to become ill but they can pass it on to older, potentially more vulnerable members of the public.
Not only that, but the disruption to many businesses has been clear to see in Herefordshire over recent weeks, with many short staffed and some having to close their doors due to staff shortages.
The 15-19 year-old age group isn’t the only age group badly affected, with those aged 20-24 in Herefordshire seeing an infection rate of 1172 cases per 100,000 population for the seven day period ending 17th August and the 25-29 age group seeing an infection rate of 648 cases per 100,000 population for the same period.
Hospitalisations have also risen in Herefordshire over recent days, according to data released by NHS England.
You can view infection rate data by visiting – Cases in Herefordshire, County of | Coronavirus in the UK (data.gov.uk)
