Herts health boss urges people to 'keep testing' as cases treble
The county's Director of Public Health has been speaking with Greatest Hits Radio.
Last updated 28th Mar 2022
Hertfordshire's Director of Public Health has urged people in the county to keep testing whilst they're available, as cases treble in three weeks
Data published last week shows that more than 11,045 cases were recorded in the seven days to March 16 – equivalent to a case rate of 923.7 per 100,000 of population.
And that is almost three times the 328.6 case rate recorded less than three weeks ago, on February 28.
Jim McManus highlighted the ‘significant rise in numbers’ at a media conference last week, timed to coincide with the two-year anniversary of the first lockdown.
He warned that the case rate had changed ‘quite dramatically’ in recent weeks – with cases increasing in most age groups, including the more vulnerable over-60s.
He said that there were currently outbreaks ongoing in 111 schools across the county, with businesses and services also reporting disruption.
And he suggested that if cases continued to rise, there could be another peak around Easter.
“This is not just an uptick – this is a significant rise in numbers,” he said.
“Is it a further wave? We don’t know. Will it peak any time soon? My feeling is it will peak around Easter, if it keeps going like this.”
"While tests are available, if you can get a test, it is sensible. There is clearly underreporting in numbers. If you've got symptoms, stay at home."