Latest number of Covid cases in Watford, Three Rivers, and Bushey

With restrictions eased for some time, it may have become easy to forget a virus that put our lives on hold for more than a year is still circulating.

The latest local Public Health data suggest Covid is very much still spreading across Watford but the number of cases in the community is stable at this time.

Between September 14 and 20, there were 239 cases recorded in Watford, which is just one more than the previous week.

The infection rate for September 14 to 20 was 247.4 cases per 100,000 population, which was the second-lowest of Hertfordshire's ten districts.

Since September 20, at least 135 more Watford residents have tested positive for Covid.

So far in the whole of September, there have been 956 cases recorded in Watford, which is down from 1,246 in August - although August includes at least four more extra days of cases.

A map of exactly where the latest cases have been recorded in Watford shows there are no particular hotspots in the town.

In the seven days to September 21, Oxhey recorded the most with 27 with Cassiobury, Nascot Wood, Stanborough, Garston, North Watford, and Leggatts all registering more than 20 cases each.

Tudor ward recorded the lowest number of cases with nine.

Three Rivers district has recorded a rise in cases over September with the weekly infection rate climbing from 250.1 (235 cases) on September 13 to 331.0 (311 cases) by September 20.

The map shows this is mainly due to a considerable outbreak of cases in Chorleywood with 71 cases recorded in the seven days to September 21; up 45 from the week before.

It is unclear what has caused a spike in cases in the village. It is possible it is linked to a school with the infection rates in Three Rivers district far higher in those aged 10 to 19 than any other age group. It is a similar situation in Watford, although the higher rates are more concentrated on 10 to 14-year-olds.

Hertfordshire County Council has been approached for further insight into the rise in infections in Chorleywood.

This map shows infection rates by area. Areas in purple are where rates are higher. Chorleywood, left, is dark purple because the infection rate is so high there currently. Credit: UK Government Covid dashboard

The infection rate specifically for Chorleywood is currently 1,232 based on the latest data, which is the highest in Hertfordshire and quite possibly the highest in the south of England.

Rickmansworth also contributed to a higher infection rate with 42 cases in Rickmansworth West.

Case numbers have remained relatively stable and lower in other areas of Three Rivers district such as in places like South Oxhey, Carpenders Park, and Abbots Langley.

In Bushey Central in Hertsmere, there was a rise of 15 cases to 31 in the week ending September 21, with 25 cases in Bushey Heath and 10 in Bushey North.

In September, a total of seven residents in Watford and Three Rivers have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test.

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust was caring for 29 Covid patients as of September 21, including six on ventilation. The total number of Covid patients being looked after is down from 46 at the end of August.

In Watford, around a quarter of over 16s have yet to receive any dose of the Covid vaccine, with less than 70 per cent uptake in age groups 18 to 39, and 57.6 per cent for those aged 16 and 17.

Just under 70 per cent of Watford's over 16 population was fully jabbed as of September 25.

A little under 80 per cent of Three Rivers' over 16's are fully vaccinated with 83.8 per cent receiving one dose so far.