Coronavirus infections are continuing to fall during England’s third national lockdown, with some neighbourhoods now recording under 10 cases during a week.

Government data shows there are plenty of encouraging signs that lockdown is having a positive effect, with cases rates across Hertfordshire much lower than what they were during the Christmas and New Year period.

Watford was among areas that had seen a case rate of over 1,000 cases per 100,000 population at the start of January, but fast forward to now and that number has dropped to 215.4 during the latest weekly period (seven days to February 8).

What’s the latest situation in Watford

Latest data shows there was a noticeably smaller number of cases recorded in Oxhey and Nascot Wood compared to other areas during the seven days to February 7, with both seeing under 10 cases.

Oxhey had just four infections during the time period, while eight were recorded in Nascot Wood.

While no other ward in Watford recorded under 10 cases in the week to February 7, eight recorded 20 cases or under, including Stanborough, Tudor and Garston.

The biggest week on week drop in cases occurred in North Watford, while there was another noticeable drop in West Watford.

Below is a table that shows the latest data for Watford:

What about other areas?

Other areas seeing a drop in cases includes Bushey, with infections in the area now significantly lower than what they had been towards the end of December.

While more than 100 were being recorded during a week across its three wards back then, 44 were recorded in total in the seven days to February 7, with Bushey North seeing just nine cases.

Cases are also lower than 10 in several wards in Three Rivers, with Rickmansworth North and Loudwater seeing just three in the seven days to February 7.

Other neighbourhoods in the district where there are under 10 cases include Croxley North and Sarratt (6), Rickmansworth West (9), Moor Park and Batchworth (8) and Chorleywood (7).

Speaking in a media briefing at the end of January, Herts director of public health Jim McManus said: "We are in a better position than we had feared and (to say) we are grateful is an understatement to our residents.

"If you look at the case rate, clearly lockdown has had an impact but lockdowns generally work if people adhere to the measures, so our residents have clearly done something.

"In that second week of January, the drop started to accelerate, so I think we are in a better position than I had feared. But that is not cause for complacency."