Covid infections have risen slightly in eight of Hertfordshire's ten districts, public health data has shown.

Many of us have been able to return to daily routines with shops, restaurants, and the night-time economy all up and running again.

The complete easement of restrictions has not led to a surge in cases nationally or locally, although across Hertfordshire, cases are up a little in early August compared to the end of July.

County-wide, East Hertfordshire has the highest infection rate at 368.6 cases per 100,000 population in the seven days to August 5.

This is followed by Watford with a rate of 310.6 after 300 cases were recorded.

St Albans district currently has the lowest infection rate in Hertfordshire at 251.3.

Only Three Rivers and Hertsmere recorded a reduction of cases in the seven days to August 5, compared with the week before.

Data from Public Health England also breaks cases down into specific neighbourhoods.

The data shows more than half of south west Hertfordshire’s 79 neighbourhoods have seen a decline in cases over the latest two-weekly period.

During the July peak – linked to the Euros – some areas with populations of around 7,000 were recording more than 80 cases a week.

The latest figures show Holywell in the western area of Watford is the neighbourhood that has recorded the most cases in Hertfordshire.

There were 43 cases in Holywell in the seven days to August 4, which was an increase of 10 from the week before.

In comparison, Oxhey, which is also in Watford, recorded just nine cases.

Other hotspots in south west Hertfordshire include Boxmoor & Apsley (39 cases), Central Watford (37), Leavesden (also 37), Bushey Central (36), and Croxley Green (34).

The table below shows the latest Covid case data from all 79 neighbourhoods in south west Hertfordshire.

Teenagers and those aged in their 20s and 30s continue to make up the majority of people catching coronavirus in recent weeks.

As of August 3, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust was caring for 31 Covid patients, including five on ventilation.

The last Covid death recorded at the trust was on July 26. There were six Covid deaths in total in July, and 924 since the pandemic began, according to NHS England data.

New data released today shows the number of deaths involving Covid registered each week in England and Wales has climbed to its highest level since the end of March, new figures show.

A total of 404 deaths registered in the week ending July 30 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to data from the Office for National Statistics

Residents, particularly youngsters, are being encouraged to get vaccinated with walk-in clinics available across Watford. Details can be found on Watford Borough Council’s website here.

Public Health England data shows as of August 8, exactly a quarter of over 18s in Watford have not received any dose of the Covid vaccine, with 62.8 per cent fully vaccinated.

However, 96 over 18s living in the town, who received a first dose on August 6, was the highest daily total since June 17.

Watford Observer: Watford mayor Peter Taylor at a vaccine walk-in clinic at Watford Town HallWatford mayor Peter Taylor at a vaccine walk-in clinic at Watford Town Hall

Watford mayor Peter Taylor said: “Getting your Covid-19 vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others.

“If you receive both doses, you reduce your chance of ending up in hospital by 96 per cent.”