THREE more cases of Thurrock residents having contracted coronavirus have been recorded to take the borough total to 305.

Yesterday Thurrock Nub News reported on latest figures that showed 105 people have died of virus related issues since the pandemic began.

The breakdown of local figures are updated weekly and the death toll in Thurrock is expected to rise as more deaths in care homes are factored in.

Nationally there are now 233,151 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and 33,614 people have died, according to the latest government figures.

The number of new daily confirmed cases has continued to fall, despite an increase in the number of people being tested.

The decline number of new cases being reported has been reflected in a reduction in call volumes received by the Thurrock Coronavirus Community Action group which co-ordinates voluntary support for vulnerable people.

Consequently it is reducing the hours its call centre is available at weekends and on bank holidays to 10am to 2pm. The action group can be contacted using this online link or by calling 01375 511 002 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

Meanwhile Thurrock residents have reported receiving a fake GOV.UK email that claims to be about their council tax account and asks for their bank details.

A spokesperson for Thurrock Council said: "We would urge anyone who receives an email like this to not respond and certainly not share any personal or bank details. If anyone gets an email like this they should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or to Thurrock Council via this link to its council tax department.

More information about coronavirus scams can be found online here

This evening (Thursday, 14 May), in Thurrock as across the whole of the UK, the eighth weekly #clapforourcarers took place.