Covid cases have soared in Watford and Three Rivers with infection rates higher than they have ever been before.

Latest data shows both boroughs have now passed 1,000 cases per 100,000 population during a week’s period (seven days to December 18).

It comes amid the spread of the Omicron variant, with at least 445 cases having been confirmed in Hertfordshire, but many more likely to be confirmed.

Read more - Omicron: Hundreds of cases confirmed in Hertfordshire

And a total of 1,729 are ‘S gene target failure’ (SGTF) cases, which is where Omicron is suspected.

Like with the rest of the country, our area is seeing a huge increase in cases, similar to that of last winter when tiered restrictions were put in place.

Below you can see the coronavirus case rate for your area.

In Watford, the centre of the town is where most cases are being identified, with 107 in the week to December 17.

Other postcodes where infections are over 100 include Oxhey and Holywell.

Meanwhile in Three Rivers, Croxley Green saw the highest number of cases in a week at 128.

Below you can see how many cases there have been in you ward.

In Bushey Central, 141 cases were recorded in the seven days to December 18, with 82 in Bushey North, 111 in Bushey Heath, and 135 in Radlett.

The highest case rates in our area are those in their 20s followed by adults aged 30 to 50 and then children and teenagers. 

Case rates are by far lowest in those aged over 70.

It is worth noting that testing was not readily available in spring 2020 and therefore we do not know how current case figures compare to then.

But we do know our local hospital is caring for far less Covid patients than spring 2020.

The latest healthcare data shows 36 Covid patients were being cared for by  West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust on December 21, including six on ventilation. 

The number of Covid patients at Watford General has been stable throughout December. During the height of the pandemic in spring 2020, the trust was caring for nearly 350 patients at any one time.

There have been 11 Covid related deaths recorded at the trust in December, with 983 since the pandemic began.

Just under 50 per cent of Watford's over 12 population is boosted against Covid with around 70 per cent receiving two doses of the vaccine. Around 24 per cent are unvaccinated. 

In Three Rivers, nearly 58 per cent are boosted with around 16 per cent unvaccinated. 

Whilst Boris Johnson has reassured people that no further restrictions will be introduced before December 25, he said: “We continue to monitor Omicron very closely and if the situation deteriorates we will be ready to take action if needed.

“What this means is that people can go ahead with their Christmas plans but the situation remains finely balanced and I would urge everyone to exercise caution."

The head of the UK Health Security Agency Dr Jenny Harries says official findings Omicron may be less likely to result in serious illness than Delta offers a "glimmer of Christmas hope".

But she warned data is still needed on Omicron's impact on the elderly.

The UKHSA estimates someone with Omicron is between 31 and 45 per cent less likely to attend A&E, and 50 to 70 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital than a person with the Delta variant.