NEWS | COVID-19 lockdown saw a huge fall in the diagnosis of Chlamydia in Herefordshire

The COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdowns saw a huge fall in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases, including Chlamydia and Genital Warts.

Data for Herefordshire shows that in 2020, the number of people coming forward and being diagnosed with genital warts fell to 54.5 people per 100,000 population, down from 67.2 people per 100,000 population in 2018. There was a similar fall in the number of people coming forward and being diagnosed with Chlamydia, with 159.6 people per 100,000 population being diagnosed in 2020. This is down from 239.4 people per 100,000 population in 2018.

The sharpest fall in Chlamydia rates was in the 15-24 age group, with a total rate of 1,167 people per 100,000 population being diagnosed in 2020 in Herefordshire. This is significantly down on 2018 when the rate was 1,610 people 100,000 population.

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in England, with rates substantially higher in young adults than any other age group. By diagnosing and treating asymptomatic chlamydia infections, chlamydia screening can reduce the duration of infection, which will reduce an individual’s chance of developing complications, and also reduce the time when someone is at risk of passing the infection on, which in turn will reduce the spread of chlamydia in the population. 

Source: Chlamydia diagnosis rate per 100,000 population (all ages) in England | LG Inform (local.gov.uk)

Sexual Health Services 4 Herefordshire

Sexual Health Services 4 Herefordshire provide free and confidential sexual health services from our easily accessible clinic. This includes information and advice on all types of contraception and STI testing and treatment. The service is confidential, non-judgemental and for people of all ages, genders and orientations.

Everyone is welcome and you don’t need to see a GP first. Please do contact the team before visiting the clinic on 01432 483693 or 0800 7720478.

Our 15 St Owen St Centre – Hereford is open between 9am-5pm Monday & Wednesdays, 9am-7pm Tuesday & Thursdays and 9am-1pm on Fridays. Please note the phone lines are only manned until 5pm on a Tuesday and Thursday.