A council is urging people not to get complacent as coronavirus case rates continue to drop.

England’s third national lockdown appears to be having a positive effect on the number of cases in Hertfordshire, with infection rates across the county on the way down.

But while the data is encouraging, the rates in districts still remain high.

And with hospitals such as Watford General under pressure during the winter Covid period, Hertfordshire County Council is urging people to not “bend the rules” and follow national restrictions.

What is the latest situation in Hertfordshire?

Latest Government data shows that all 10 districts in Hertfordshire have seen a week-on-week drop in Covid case rates.

But infection rates are still very high despite the drop - Watford, Broxbourne, Hertsmere, Welwyn Hatfield and Stevenage saw rates of over 600 cases per 100,000 population in the seven days to January 16.

The district with the lowest rate is St Albans, which recorded 355 cases per 100,000 population in the same period.

Below you can see what the latest infection rate is in your area:

Following an ITV report which highlighted the pressures Watford General Hospital is facing, the county council urged people to use it as a “stark demonstration of why we must continue to play our part and follow national restrictions”.

The report highlighted how younger people are being admitted to the hospital, while some patients in the intensive care unit have been moved to other hospitals across the country.

Read more:

Inside Watford General Hospital during Covid pandemic

Pressures facing Watford General Hospital highlighted​

The county council said in a Facebook post: "Although the case rate looks to be declining, rates are still high and we must continue to play our part to stop the spread.

"Now is not the time to get complacent and bend the rules - we are still in a national lockdown, and we are urging all residents to stay home wherever possible.

“If you do need to go out for essential shopping, or for work if you cannot work from home, please ensure you are wearing a face covering, washing your hands often and keeping 2m space from those around you.”

It added that 37 per cent of residents surveyed said that they are making a trip to family, friends or neighbours for a chat at their front door or in the garden.

“Each time that we leave our home, we are increasing the risk of the virus spreading,” the council said on Facebook.

“Stay home, protect the NHS and social care, save lives.”