SEXUALLY transmitted infection rates plunged in Bromsgrove as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, figures suggest.

Fewer people having sex during lockdowns and disruption to health services contributed to a steep drop in STI diagnoses in England last year, experts say.

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV warned that the latest figures could represent "the tip of the iceberg".

Public Health England data shows 286 STIs were diagnosed in Bromsgrove in 2020 – 33% fewer than the year before.

It meant 284 in every 100,000 people in the area were infected with potentially life-changing diseases including syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

However, that rate was down from 2019, when 422 in 100,000 people in Bromsgrove were diagnosed with an STI.

The most common infection in the area was chlamydia with 159 cases found in 2020. A further 54 gonorrhoea cases were diagnosed, as well as five of syphilis, 20 of genital herpes and 27 of genital warts.

Dr John McSorley, president of BASHH, said the national drop in diagnoses highlighted the impact Covid-19 has had on sexual health services.

He added: "Whilst a drop in the number of new infections appears positive, it is important to remember that England entered the Covid pandemic with the highest rates of some STIs since the Second World War.

"This data therefore likely represents the tip of the iceberg.

"STIs haven't gone away, chains of infections haven't been broken."

Dr Katy Sinka, from PHE, said: "No one wants to swap social distancing for an STI, and as we enjoy the fact that national Covid-19 restrictions have lifted, it’s important that we continue to look after our sexual health and wellbeing.

"If you are having sex with new or casual partners, use a condom and get tested."