A Herefordshire school has told students in one year group to stay at home, with COVID-19 impacting on staffing levels.

Earl Mortimer College and Sixth Form Centre shared the following update on the Herefordshire Council Schools website page earlier:

“Year 9 is closed today due to staff absence and the associated impact of Covid-19. Students can return to school tomorrow.

“The school is open to all other year groups as normal.”

Latest data released by Public Health England has shown that the COVID-19 infection rate in the Leominster area is one of the highest in England at present and continues to rise, with free COVID-19 testing set to come to an end for many people in England from tomorrow (Friday 1st April).

In the seven day period ending 25th March, a total of 114 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the Leominster South area. This gave a COVID-19 infection rate of 1,799 cases per 100,000 population. An increase of 52% on the previous seven day period. In Leominster North, the picture is similar, with a total of 86 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the seven day period ending 25th March. This gave a COVID-19 infection rate of 1,420 cases per 100,000 population. An increase of 50.9% on the previous seven day period.