Latest data released by Public Health England shows that Herefordshire currently has one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in England.
Data for the seven day period ending 23rd November shows that a total of 752 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Herefordshire. This is a fall of 16.3% on the previous seven day period and means that the COVID-19 infection rate in Herefordshire is currently 388.4 cases per 100,000 population.
Only a small selection of areas in England, such as Norfolk, Suffolk and Cumbria have recorded a lower COVID-19 infection rate than Herefordshire in recent days.
Despite Herefordshire seeing low COVID-19 infection rates, further measures will come into force tomorrow, with face masks once again becoming mandatory in retail settings and on public transport, due to concerns over the new Omicron variant. Three cases of the new variant have been recorded so far in the UK and health experts expect this number to rise over the coming days.
Temporary and precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant in the UK will come into force on Tuesday, the government has confirmed.
From 4am Tuesday 30 November face coverings will be compulsory in shops and other settings such as banks, post offices and hairdressers, as well as on public transport unless individuals are exempt from doing so.
All travellers arriving into the country from 4am on Tuesday 30 November will be required to take a PCR test on or before day 2 and self isolate until they have received a negative test result. These PCR tests can be purchased from private providers. Free NHS tests are not valid for this purpose.
Under the UK presidency an urgent meeting of G7 health ministers will also be convened on Monday 29 November to discuss the developments on Omicron.
This update adds to the measures rapidly implemented earlier this week to prevent the spread of the new variant including travel restrictions and meaning all close contacts of anyone who has tested positive for the Omicron variant are required to isolate for 10 days regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
