Five staff in care homes in north Herts have tested positive for Covid in the past two weeks – sparking concerns that the second wave of the virus may have spread.

The latest data – compiled by the county council – provides a snapshot of the virus in care homes, based on positive tests in the two weeks to October 2.

Across the county, the news is the same with at least 72 members of staff – and 54 residents - diagnosed with coronavirus, prompted fears that the pandemic is circulating in the county's care homes.

Herts Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Zukowskyj has pushed for publication of the latest testing data from care homes, which was initially intended to be 'confidential'.

And he says it's vital residents know so they can make decisions about whether to move-in to – or remain – in a care home setting.

During the first wave of the pandemic – between March and August – the virus is believed to have claimed the lives of more than 500 Hertfordshire care home residents, either at home or in hospital.

And much of the spread around care homes was attributed to care home staff – who had the virus, but no symptoms – who unwittingly passed it to other staff and residents.

Since July all staff working in care homes should have been screened for the virus once a week – with residents also screened once a month – in a bid to halt the spread of asymptomatic transmission.

In light of the latest data councillor Zukowskyj says the testing process needs to be speeded up to prevent the spread. He said: "This is really concerning.

"Some care home testing has been really haphazard – including some results that have come back after more than a week.

"If there are 72 members of care home staff who are 'positive' – how many people could they have spread to in that time? It is really worrying.

"And those 54 residents who have tested positive are in the most vulnerable group."

However, many are optimistic that the measures being taken by care providers will ensure there is a good chance of minimising the number of homes in the county that have major outbreaks.