In his regular column for the Hereford Times, North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin explains why recent figures suggested the county has a high infection rate and pledges further help for the homeless

I WISH to thank everyone for all you have done to observe the lockdown and to help defeat the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

In Herefordshire we have had 430 confirmed cases, and very sadly 49 of those have passed away in hospital and a further 44 in care homes, bringing a terrible total of 98.

I appreciate how hard it has been for everyone at this difficult time, but because of your diligence in adhering to the social distancing guidelines we in Herefordshire have been fortunate to see a comparatively low number of cases and deaths.

Recent figures that suggested a high infection rate in Herefordshire but this was because in that particular week, a disproportionately high number of tests were undertaken.

We are right to test as many people as possible but doing this here with our comparatively low population disproportionately affected our rate of infection statistics.

April’s unemployment figures in North Herefordshire showed the number of actual claimants was 1,685 in April 2020, a rise of 815 from March 2020 and 960 higher than April 2019.

The record levels of employment have been hit hard by Coronavirus in our area – 3.3 per cent of the population aged 16-64 but it is still far lower than equivalent 5.1 per ce3nt for the UK.

The Government too has ensured that and communities and businesses across Herefordshire have benefited from £105m in funding since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, helping to support some of the most vulnerable people, alongside the sectors that have been hardest hit.

The coronavirus pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to identify and house those who are homeless.

I was pleased to learn through my work as a trustees of the Eveson Trust that all but two of those in Herefordshire are currently housed.

The Government has asked councils to create plans for tackling homelessness post-coronavirus. Further funding to end homelessness will be made available.

It also vital that charities are supported so that they can continue their fantastic work.

I would urge them to work with the council to put in a good plan in place to help those most vulnerable as we emerge from this virus.

Sadly, this has not been the case to date and the confusion may lead to another missed opportunity to help those most in need.