Covid-19: 'Vaccine tracers' brought in as county Covid rate trebles

Jim McManus said the growth in cases was "not just an uptick" but a "significant rise in numbers"

A team of "vaccine tracers" have been brought in as the number of Covid infections in a county almost trebled in three weeks.

Latest data shows more than 11,045 cases were recorded in Hertfordshire in the seven days to 16 March, representing a rate of 923.7 per 100,000 of the population.

It is almost three times the 328.6 case rate recorded on 28 February.

The new team aims to boost vaccination levels across the county.

Hertfordshire's director of public health Jim McManus 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, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

He said 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," Mr McManus said.

Jim McManus has urged people to wear face masks in busy places even though the compulsory wearing of face masks in public spaces was removed last month in England

He added that although 83.5% of eligible residents in Hertfordshire have had at least one dose of the vaccine, "the bulk" of Covid intensive care admissions were unvaccinated people, mainly in their 30s and 40s.

Vaccine tracers are now contacting those who are not fully vaccinated and can address any concerns, make vaccination appointments and in some cases, offer transport.

Mr McManus said he did not expect everyone to take up the offer of vaccination.

"Some people have been waiting, because actually they have said 'I want to wait for a year and see what the virus does and what the vaccine does - and then get vaccinated'," he said.

"There are some people who just have never had the time to get around to it.

"If you get 30 people all of whom are at heightened risk who haven't been vaccinated, that is still 30 people who otherwise would be in hospital."

Mr McManus also urged people to continue to wear a face covering in busy places and stay at home if they are sick.

"The bottom line of all of this is that this is our first foray into really trying to live with Covid," he said.

"And so if we are going to make it successful we have to get through this surge - this hump - and out the other end."