AFTER several days of small increases, the number of people confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus Covid-19 in Thurrock has risen by 12 according to the latest figures issued by Public health England.

That takes the local tally of confirmed cases to 230.

Nationally as another 449 coronavirus deaths have been recorded in UK hospitals, taking the total number to 16,509.

But the number of new confirmed infections were "flattening out", the UK's deputy chief scientific adviser, Prof Dame Angela Maclean, told the daily press briefing at Downing Street.

In total, across the country, there have now been 124,743 cases of people contracting the virus.

The latest UK death total of 449 was the lowest daily figure announced since 6 April. The new figures also showed that the number of new infections - 4,676 - was the lowest for four days.