LATEST figures show that the significant rise in the number of people infected by Covid-19 in Thurrock continues.

After many months of being at the low end of the infection spectrum late November and December has seen a huge surge in the number of cases in the borough. However, the rise in numbers is being linked to the significant increase in the amount of testing in the area.

"Essex's infection rates per 100,000 population were already among some of the highest being recorded," a health spokesman said. "We have recently increased our testing capacity particularly in the south of the county where rates have been high and as this will have identified more cases, the figures are not a surprise."

Drive in test centres in Thurrock are being operated in Corringham, Tilbury and Grays and continued to be busy today (Monday).

Figures available today, which are several days old because of Christmas, show that Thurrock had 1,324 cases per 100,000 people in the week from 14 to 20 December. The average area in England had 238. The death rate in the borough has risen to 229.

Thurrock is among a number of areas of Essex that have recorded the highest weekly coronavirus case rates since the pandemic began. In the week leading up to 21 December, Brentwood and Epping Forest also had rates of more than 1,300 cases per 100,000 people.

Brentwood's rate of 1,419 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to 21 December is now the highest recorded across England since the start of the pandemic.

The significant rises in numbers of people with the virus in Thurrock is reflected in the increase of patients being treated in regional hospitals.

At 22 December there were 762 beds occupied by confirmed COVID-19 patients in Essex hospital trusts. This equates to 22 per cent of trust capacity and is 46 per cent higher compared to bed occupancy one week previously on 15 December.