A council leader has warned residents still need to be “vigilant” despite a “considerable” drop in the number of new Covid-19 cases.

Although Hertsmere is still officially designated as an “area of concern” by Public Health England, the rate of new cases in the borough is a far-cry from what it was experiencing around a month ago.

The weekly rate of new cases in Hertsmere was among the highest in the whole of England in early September – with Hertfordshire County Council linking the spread to several teenage house parties which took place in the Borehamwood area in late August.

Councillor Tim Hutchings, who is helping to lead the Covid-19 response in Hertfordshire, warned Hertsmere residents needed to “get a grip” on the spread of the virus.

Fines were threatened to parents allowing house parties and targeted action took place outside shops in Borehamwood and Radlett from a host of agencies warning the public about a rise in cases.

It seems the work put in has had an effect with the rate of cases down and at a stable level for a more prolonged period of time.

Data published on the government’s daily coronavirus dashboard shows a total of 26 new cases in the seven days to September 26 – which is a rate of 27.6 and way down on a rate of nearly 60 cases in early September.

Between September 19 and 25, of 28 total cases, four were in Brookmeadow ward in Borehamwood, six were in Bushey North, and five were in Bushey Central.

Data published daily by the government shows the majority of those who tested positive in late and August and early September live in Borehamwood, Radlett, Elstree, and Bushey Heath.

It has been 12 days since Hertsmere recorded daily cases in double figures – however there have been known testing capacity issues in the borough, like across the rest of the country.

The latest weekly rate in Hertsmere is now lower than neighbouring Watford, St Albans, and Three Rivers – and has gone from one of the top 10 highest rates in England in early September, to outside the top 150.

However, the rate in Hertsmere is still higher than roughly 150 more local authorities in England.

Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Morris Bright, told this paper: “The latest figures for Hertsmere show the numbers of Covid infections are going in the right direction and have dropped considerably since the peak of the spike a few weeks ago.

“We must still be vigilant and continue to work together to keep our borough safe as it can be in order to avoid further restrictions such as those we’ve seen imposed elsewhere in the country.”

Borehamwood Times:

Cllr Bright wearing a facemask outside Elstree Studios in Borehamwood

Data published by the Office for National Statistics(ONS) shows one person living in Hertsmere died in September where Covid-19 appeared on the death certificate.

They died in hospital in the week ending September 11 and it was the first Covid-19 death since the week ending August 21, when ONS data shows two Hertsmere residents died.