MORE than 400 Thurrock residents have been infected with Covid-19 in the past week - with four fatalities recorded.

The impact of the bug has become increasingly evident in the borough, with two secondary schools now shutting down most of their classes because they do not have enough staff.

The latest figures released today (Sunday, 6 December) show 428 people were recorded as having contracted the bug, a rise of 78 from the previous seven days.

In total 3,416 people in Thurrock have contracted Covid-198 and the number of deaths of those who have tested positive is now 207.

The rate of infection in the borough is now 141.1 people per 100,000 resident population, which is below the national average of 150.9.