An increase in socialising has been blamed for a dramatic jump in the number of people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The number of STI cases reported between January and March this year is 45% higher than the same period in 2021.
The numbers were formulated by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
Reasons for the sudden rise in cases has been attributed to there being a drop during lockdown due to fewer opportunities to socialise.
Now, with Covid-19 restrictions lifted, STI cases are rising again.
Rates of HIV, gonorrhoea and chlamydia are all up significantly.
Following a drop in cases at the start of the pandemic, HIV diagnoses have surged by 84 per cent.
Meanwhile, gonorrhea cases have increased by 61 per cent while reports of chlamydia are up 44 per cent.
