Covid cases have leapt by more than 70 per cent in a week across Hitchin, forcing thousands of residents to spend Christmas in isolation, according to the latest government figures.

There were 139 confirmed cases in Hitchin in the seven days to December 15 - up 58 from the week before - with the highly infectious Omicron variant soon to become the dominant strain across our area.

In total the case rate per 100,000 people in our area is now 1,192, well above the national average, which is under 800 per 100k.

The steep increases arrive against a background of vaccination rates across Hitchin which indicate:

1st dose 87.7%

1. 3 % of people have received their booster dose

In total 47 million people in the UK have received two doses of Covid vaccine, equivalent to 82 per cent of the population.

Herts health supremo, Prof Jim McManus, who is also president of the association of directors of public health, said: "A combination of policies, messages and actions will help reduce transmission, hospitalisations and deaths.

"Limiting the spread is essential to keeping society, education and the economy open which is what everyone wants.

"Throughout the pandemic, the collective efforts of the public have been incredible. We must, once again, all do our bit to protect each other."