Watford, Borehamwood, and South Oxhey recorded some of the highest numbers of coronavirus cases over the New Year period, latest figures show.

Data released on the government’s Covid dashboard reveal several areas in south Hertfordshire remain Covid hotspots.

Over New Year, this included the whole of Borehamwood as well as northern and western parts of Watford.

The number of people testing positive for Covid over New Year was also way above the national average in some areas of Three Rivers district, like Rickmansworth and South Oxhey, as well as in parts of St Albans district.

We’ve updated the tables below which show the areas which recorded the most Covid cases over New Year, as well as the number of cases in the exact area you live.

The fourth column on the second table helps show areas where the situation has either improved or worsened between Christmas and New Year.

Hertfordshire still has some of the highest infection rates in England, however the daily number of cases in south west Hertfordshire appears at the very least to be stabilising or reducing, suggesting some of the Tier 4 measures may have had some impact.

One thousand less cases were reported between New Year’s Day and January 6 (3,805 cases) than between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve in the five districts that cover south west Hertfordshire (Watford, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers and Dacorum).

However, the director of public health in Hertfordshire, Jim McManus, has warned the area could see a spike in cases very soon, linked to gatherings which took place on New Year’s Eve, potentially as many as 50 house parties.

Read more: Herts gatherings over Christmas and New Year 'will cause spike in Covid cases'

If the virus did spread again over New Year, it is likely to have spread further over the last week, potentially infecting vulnerable people, and threatening to pile more pressure on the NHS.

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Watford General Hospital, was caring for 330 Covid patients as of 8am on January 5 – double what the trust had at the during the Covid peak in April.

Read more: Hospital trust caring for record-breaking 330 Covid patients

Residents are encouraged by public health officials to stay at home wherever possible.

If out, wear a face covering, stay a minimum of two metres apart from anyone outside of a household, and wash or sanitise hands.

Mr McManus has said previously that when out, people should behave as if they are infected and all those who they come into contact with are infected too.