Summary

Hertsmere added to coronavirus watchlist - recap

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  • Soaring rates of Covid-19 in Hertsmere have unsurprisingly seen the borough added to a national list of 'areas of concern'.
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  • Since lockdown restrictions were eased around June, Public Health England publishes a weekly list of places it is keeping a close eye on due to a surge in coronavirus cases.
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  • Over the last few weeks, the list has been dominated by places in the north of England, although Luton has been on the list too for some time.
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  • Hertsmere was expected to appear in this week's list with its weekly rate of more than 60 cases per 100,000 people breaking the top 10 rates in England.
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  • The borough has suffered from an outbreak of cases which public health officials have blamed on teenage house parties in the Borehamwood area towards the end of August.
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  • In the most recent days, there were signs of improvement in Hertsmere and the borough's MP Oliver Dowden, who confirmed late this morning that Hertsmere was now on a watchlist, says he is "confident" the outbreak can be controlled.
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  • Nevertheless, Hertsmere has been added to a watchlist which could mean it is entitled to further support from the government.
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  • Hertfordshire County Council and the leader of Hertsmere Borough Council have released statements, indicating they welcome the 'attention' put on Hertsmere.
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  • Importantly, it seems no special restrictions are being imposed on Hertsmere, and residents continue to follow the national guidance.
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  • But there are warnings that residents must adhere to the rules to avoid any kind of further lockdown.
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  • Cllr Tim Hutchings, executive member for public health in Hertfordshire, said: "We welcome this latest attention and endorsement of the robust warnings that we have been making within the local community, and the need to adhere to the rules. These include the enhanced rules announced for gatherings, social distancing and the need to self-isolate."
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  • For more details, updates, and reaction, see our live blog below.

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