More than half of care homes across Watford, Hertsmere and Three Rivers have been hit by coronavirus, figures have suggested.

Data published by Public Health England (PHE) shows that of 75 care homes across the three boroughs, 39 have reported at least one confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19, up to May 3.

These figures show 52 per cent of all residential and nursing homes across Watford, Hertsmere and Three Rivers have been affected by the virus in some way.

Across England, PHE data shows 33 per cent of care homes have been affected by coronavirus.

However, PHE says the data contains no indication of whether the reported outbreaks are still active.

The figures show that of 21 care homes in Watford, 14 (67 per cent) had reported a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19 up to May.

The rate was lower in Three Rivers, where 12 (54 per cent) out of 22 care homes reported confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19 in the same time period.

Despite Hertsmere having the largest amount of care homes of the three areas - 32 in total - 13 (41 per cent) care homes had reported confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19 up to May 3.

Yesterday (Tuesday), data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the number of residents dying of Covid-19 in care homes across the three areas is reducing.

According to the ONS, there were nine deaths recorded across Watford, Hertsmere and Three Rivers in the week ending May 1.

Overall, there have been 77 confirmed Covid-19 deaths in care homes across the three boroughs, according to ONS figures.

Meanwhile, in the first ten weeks of the year, there were 119 deaths recorded in care homes across the three boroughs.

In the last eight weeks (since March 7) there have been 294 deaths in care homes, including 77 put down as Covid-19, according to ONS.

This shows 217 deaths that were not put down as Covid-19, and when we compare this figure to the 119 recorded before coronavirus, the figures show there have been 98 'excess deaths' in care homes.

Speaking in the House of Commons today, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the Government of being “too slow” to protect people in care homes.

Mr Starmer said: “In his speech on Sunday the Prime Minister said we need to rapidly reverse the epidemic in our care homes, but until 12 March, the Government’s own official advice was, and I’m quoting from it, ‘it remains very unlikely that people receiving care in a care home will become infected.”

In response, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced £600 million for infection control in care homes.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the Government is working "around the clock" to ensure the sector in England is getting the support it needs to tackle the pandemic.

A spokesperson said: "We have launched a comprehensive action plan and provided £3.2 billion to local authorities to help them deal with the impacts of the pandemic on public services, including adult social care."