A statement from Cllr David Hitchiner, Leader of Herefordshire Council
Firstly, I would like to thank you all for your contribution to keeping the level of recorded infection from Covid 19 in our county low compared to the national average.
This is a critical stage of the pandemic in England and I encourage everyone in Herefordshire to continue playing their part in keeping the impact of Covid on our communities as low as possible. Even if cases in counties around us rise, we must keep the infection rate as low as possible here in Herefordshire to protect the high proportion of older residents and limit the pressure on our hospital.
The picture is changing daily however our current level of cases reflects a number of factors. These include the rural nature of the county, community resilience, the way the public sector partners work together to provide a response unique to Herefordshire and the public’s adherence to the guidance.
We want to ensure schools remain open, care home residents are kept safe, hospitals can treat all patients who need it, the economy is as strong as possible and continues to offer opportunities, and residents stay well, safe and happy.
We can keep Herefordshire open and we can emerge from the pandemic with as little damage as possible – if we all play our part. We can help the county progress to a bright future but we must keep the virus in check and also support local businesses. Every action, however small, to achieve this adds to our combined effort.
Please continue to follow the guidance on regular hand washing, social distancing (keeping 2 metres apart), meeting in groups of no more than six people, and using face coverings in shops and other enclosed spaces outside the home. If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace, it is vital to our community that you self-isolate.
The future of the county is in our hands.
Thank you once again for what you are doing.
Stay Safe Herefordshire.
Cllr David Hitchiner
Leader of the Council
