Herefordshire Council says that it is ‘more important than ever’ to regularly test for COVID-19, with cases continue to rise across the county.

Cases in Herefordshire continue to significantly rise, with data for the seven day period ending 27th September showing that 1 in 22 children aged 10-14 years-old in Herefordshire tested positive for COVID-19 in just one week.

A number of local schools have brought new measures in, with Kingstone High School reopening on a Monday following a week long closure due to a number of staff and students testing positive.

A letter sent to parents of students at John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye said that extra safety measures were being put in place to help keep staff and students safe.

The letter states that in line with other local schools, John Kyrle High School has seen an increase in cases of COVID-19 in recent days and that the school is taking the above measures to limit the impact and to prevent further cases.

Cases are high across much of Herefordshire, but ‘very high’ rates are still be recorded in several areas, including: (Data for the seven day period ending 27th September)

Leominster North – 50 new cases (Infection rate of 826 cases per 100,000 population)

Lugwardine, Withington & Moreton on Lugg – 72 new cases (Infection rate of 906 cases per 100,000 population)

Hereford East – 72 new cases (Infection rate of 1,211 cases per 100,000 population)

Hereford South – 117 new cases (Infection rate of 1,196 cases per 100,000 population)

Hereford South West – 141 new cases (Infection rate of 1,704 cases per 100,000 population)

Hereford North East – 70 new cases (Infection rate of 884 cases per 100,000 population)

Kingstone & Kingsthorne – 102 (Infection rate of 896 cases per 100,000 population)

Belmont, Madley & Clehonger – 89 new cases (Infection rate of 1,299 cases per 100,000 population)