The coronavirus R rate in Three Rivers may be as high as 1.5.

R rate is a way of rating a disease's ability to spread. The figure refers to the number of people that one infected person will pass on a virus to on average.

The latest data from research undertaken by the Imperial College London shows that the R rate in Three Rivers is (with a confidence level of 90 per cent) is between 0.94 and 1.56.

The figure is someway above the average in the East of England, which stands and 1.1 – 1.3 and more reflective of the national average of 1.2 – 1.5.

In Watford the R rate, as of September 28, is between 0.82 and 1.38 while St Albans has posted a rate of 0.85 – 1.45.

In Hertsmere, which was officially listed as an area of concern by Public Health England this month, the rate may be as low as 0.65 but could be as high 1.30.

Cases in the borough have dropped in recent days compared to end of August and beginning of September.

R rate is an average value that can vary in different parts of the country, communities, and subsections of the population.

It cannot be measured directly so there is always uncertainty around its exact value.