Parts of Watford are still recording high levels of new coronavirus cases, latest figures from the government show.

While many areas bordering Watford have seen a noticeable drop in cases since Tier 4 was introduced, the data shows the disease is still spreading at a concerning rate, particularly in Central Watford, West Watford and Holywell.

However, there are plenty of signs the new lockdown is broadly working locally, with infection rates across Hertfordshire on the way down.

And in south west Hertfordshire, which covers the districts of Watford, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, St Albans, and Dacorum, just nine out of 79 areas, within those five districts, failed to see a drop in cases in early January compared to over the New Year period.

What is the situation like in Watford?

The Christmas period saw Watford record some of the highest infection rates in the whole of England, which has inevitably piled pressure on Watford General Hospital.

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust was caring for 347 Covid patients as of 8am on January 12 - 201 more than the spring peak, with more admissions likely due to a lag in hospitalisations.

The town's infection rate is still far too high - currently sitting at 735.5 cases per 100,000 population in the seven days to January 12.

This is down from 973 cases per 100,000 people the week before.

The town's high infection rate is mainly being driven by confirmed cases in Watford town centre, West Watford, and Holywell, with cases actually going up in the town centre.

But in northern areas of Watford, reported cases are coming down, as the chart below shows.

The higher numbers in Holywell may well be due to the proximity of a walk-through testing centre in the area.

There are some tentative signs in recent days of a small increase in cases in Watford, according to figures published on the government's website.

It could be the spike in cases linked to New Year gatherings, which Hertfordshire's public health director feared may happen; however a much more prolonged period of case data is required.

What's the situation like in areas bordering Watford?

The number of new cases in Three Rivers district appears to be on a downwards trend.

Daily cases have not reached triple figures since January 5 and a substantial outbreak in Rickmansworth looks to have been suppressed.

However, infection rates in South Oxhey and parts of Rickmansworth remain far too high and more work is needed to bring virus levels down in these areas in particular.

Bushey was south Hertfordshire's number one hotspot in December, however outbreaks across the town appear to now be under control.

Neighbouring Borehamwood is also seeing a reduction in cases but infection rates are over 1,000 cases per 100,000 in three areas of the town.

'Please stay at home'

Darryl Keen, director of community protection, chief fire officer and chairman of the strategic coordination group of the Local Resilience Forum, said: "The health services in Hertfordshire are doing an amazing job to treat so many people and to roll out the vaccination programme at speed, and I thank every single staff member.

"As we are in national lockdown in response to the very real rise in cases of coronavirus, I know the vast majority of residents will be doing the right thing and following the 'stay at home' instruction to protect the NHS and save lives.

"Hertfordshire’s case rate is consistently high, with the new, more contagious variant accounting for a large number of positive test results, and it is clear that everyone of us needs to act now to stop the spread.

"The more we do now to support the lockdown, the sooner it will be over. Please self-isolate if necessary and get tested and isolate if you have symptoms."