Hertfordshire's public health supremo Jim McManus is urging football fans across the county including Hitchin, not to let their guard down when watching the Euros, as statistics show more men have been catching Covid since the start of the tournament.

Latest data shows that in the last few days – since the start of the football tournament – men have been more likely to pick up the virus in the county than women.

There is a link between the trend and the Euros – not just in Hitchin, but elsewhere in the country too.

Ahead of England's crucial clash with Germany on Tuesday evening he urged those watching the matches to remember to take Covid precautions – such as ensuring good ventilation.

"There definitely does seen to have been transmission from within households and within groups socialising at football, where they have had fairly poor ventilation, " he said.

"If they had just opened a window and slightly kept a distance, they could have probably not got infected.

"So I think that just underlines the need for people just to enjoy the football, but just be a wee bit cautious. And if you keep doing that, then you will be fine."

Mr McManus stresses there are plenty of people who have not been infected – where ventilation has been better.

But he says there are people who were "infected because they got excited about their club and that's understandable and its easy to let your guard down".

"But a few simple precautions – get vaccine, ventilate the room – and you will be fine" he says.