THURROCK hit an unwanted landmark today (Monday, 21 December) when the latest figures show it has England's fastest-growing Covid-19 infection rate.

Following the weekend's decision to move the borough, along with swathes of London and South east England into the new ultra-restrictive Tier Four, because of a coronavirus mutation which may be up to 70% more contagious the infection rate in the borough has been recorded at 1,056.0 cases per 100,000 people. This is up from 387.2 per 100,000 in the seven days to December 9.

Thurrock now has the highest rate in the country after seeing the largest week-on-week jump with 1,841 new cases recorded in the seven days to December 16.

There have been 226 coronavirus-related deaths registered in the borough to 4 December.

How we compare:

Thurrock, 1056.0 cases per 100,000, up from 387.2

Havering, 1021.8, up from 513.6

Basildon, 995.2, up from 619.7

Medway, 981.8, up from 618.9

Epping Forest, 956.8, up from 382.7

Swale, 912.8, up from 645.6

Redbridge, 884.9, up from 402.3

Rochford, 864.2, up from 266.7

Ashford, 842.9, up from 453.0