A DOCTOR from Herefordshire has revealed what's worrying him most about coronavirus at the moment, despite low case rates.

Only 48 cases of coronavirus were reported in Herefordshire in the seven days to May 8, meaning a rate of 24.9 cases per 100,000 people – significantly lower than 205.4 in Erewash, Nottinghamshire.

But Dr Simon Lennane, a GP at Ross-on-Wye's Alton Street surgery, has warned variants of coronavirus, such as one from India, is one of the things worrying him most at the moment.

He said Covid rates in Herefordshire remain low, despite an outbreak amongst workers at S&A Produce's packhouse in Marden, near Hereford.

Hereford Times: There has been a coronavirus outbreak at S&A Produce's Brook Farm in Marden There has been a coronavirus outbreak at S&A Produce's Brook Farm in Marden

"As we head into summer, it is great news that community rates of Covid-19 remain low locally, although a cluster of cases on a farm has pushed up the numbers in the county recently," he said.

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"While the latest lockdown has helped tackle the surge of cases over winter, locking down does come at a high social as well as economic cost.

"Not being able to catch up with family and friends has been hard on all of us.

"People are struggling with the effects of isolation, and in particular it has affected those with cognitive impairments such as dementia."

Hereford Times: Dr Simon Lennane says variants are concerning him Dr Simon Lennane says variants are concerning him

He added: "The main risk now is new ‘variants of concern'.

"High case rates in other countries allow the virus to mutate, and the worry is that the change may make our current vaccines less effective.

"The lack of monitoring for people coming from high risk countries has left us susceptible to these new variants, and we should be learning from those countries that have aimed for and managed a zero-Covid approach."

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It comes after a "small number of cases" of the South Africa variant were found in Redditch, with people urged to get tested.

Worcestershire County Council said cases had not been traced back to international travel.

In an update through Ross-on-Wye community development trust, Dr Lennane also warned GPs were incredibly busy, partly because of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

NHS data shows 53,150 people had received both jabs by May 2 – 33 per cent of those aged 16 and over, based on the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Hereford Times: Wendy Mantle, 86, getting her first coronavirus jab at Leominster's Bridge Street Sports Centre Wendy Mantle, 86, getting her first coronavirus jab at Leominster's Bridge Street Sports Centre

Of those to have received both jabs, 47,305 were aged 45 and over – 46 per cent of the age group.

Across Herefordshire, 67 per cent of those aged 16 and over have had one jab.

"Health services are busier than ever," he said.

"Local GP surgeries have run the vaccine program on top of our day jobs, with great support from volunteers in Ross, but we now have a year’s backlog to get through.

"We are very aware that health services are overloaded at present, but we are working as hard as possible to get things back to normal and are grateful for your support and understanding."

He added: "With case rates low, now is the perfect time to catch up with people.

"Outdoor spread is rare, and the successful delivery of the NHS vaccination program means that people are far more protected now than we have been.

"We are fortunate to have access to some wonderful green spaces locally, where we can safely spend time with others.

"Exercise and activity protect us against getting unwell from Covid, while sunshine on our skin helps create vitamin D, which is important for a healthy immune system."