THE number of Thurrock residents who have been confirmed as having contracted the coronavirus Covid-19 has gone up by four to 234.

Though no specific figures for Thurrock have been released, it has been announced that across Essex there have been 785 coronavirus-related deaths, with 197 of them at Basildon and Thurrock Hospital, which has the highest death rate of all Essex hospitals, largely because it has been designated as a critical care centre.

Across the UK the number of cases has also increased by 4,301 in 24 hours, bringing the total of 129,044.

Nationally a further 823 people have died in hospitals across the UK in a day, taking the total to 17,337.

Among those from Thurrock who have passed away was Linda Gayler, a teaching assistant at Woodside Academy in Grays.

Her funeral took place today (21 April). A statement from the school said: "Its is a sad day for Woodside as we mark the funeral of Linda Gayler, much-loved teaching assistant for 28 years who died of Covid19 on the first day of the close down. We are lighting candles for her now."