Parts of Hereford city and Ross-on-Wye currently have the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the county, latest figures released by Public Health England indicate.

Data for the seven day period ending 2nd September shows that the Hereford East (Tupsley) area currently has the highest infection rate in Herefordshire, with 28 new cases recorded during the seven day period, giving an infection rate of 467.4 cases per 100,000 population. This is up by 33.3% on the previous seven days.

Following on closely in the Hereford Central area, where 46 new cases of COIVD-19 were confirmed in the seven day period ending 2nd September, giving an infection rate of 456.9 cases per 100,000 population. This is up by 7% on the previous seven days. Third highest is Ross-on-Wye, where in the same seven day period, a total of 48 new cases were recorded, giving an infection rate of 424.4 cases per 100,000 population. This is up by 45.5% on the previous seven days.

Overall, case numbers in Herefordshire remain relatively high, with 586 new cases recorded in the seven days ending 2nd September, the same number as were recorded in the previous seven days.

The good news is that the numbers receiving COVID-19 vaccines continues to rise. With 86.8% of those aged 16 and over now having received their first dose of a vaccine and 79.7% now having received both doses. People are continuing to be urged to book their vaccine appointments or to turn up to a walk in clinic, with COVID-19 passports coming into place for nightclubs and large events later this month, subject to full confirmation on detail from the government.