Approximately 1 in 30 children aged 10-14 years-old tested positive for COVID-19 in the seven day period ending 21st September, latest data released by Public Health England has revealed.
The data shows that in the seven day period ending 21st September, the COVID-19 infection rate in the 10-14 year-old age group was 3,170 cases per 100,000 population, by far the highest out of all the age groups in the county and rising rapidly.
A number of schools have sent out letters to students and staff members, asking them to wear a mask in communal areas and Kingstone High School has taken the decision to temporarily close due to a high number of confirmed cases in staff and students.
Overall, Herefordshire’s infection rate is sharply rising, with 854 new cases recorded in the seven days ending 21st September. This is an increase of 42.1% on the previous week giving an infection rate of 441.1 cases per 100,000 population. The area with the highest infection rate in Herefordshire is the Hereford South West area where the infection rate is currently 1,293 cases per 100,000 population.
Whilst these infection rates may appear concerning, it should be reminded that for the majority of children, COVID-19 will be a very mild illness with some children displaying no symptoms at all. Despite the large increase in cases, hospitalisations in Herefordshire remain relatively low due to the age groups that are currently getting infected. Very few new cases have been recorded in those aged 60 and over in recent weeks, a sign that the vaccination process is really working in these age groups.
