NEW figures have confirmed that the number of deaths in Thurrock which have been coronavirus-related have risen to 118.

Local figures are updated at intervals by the government and a variety of agencies including the Office for National Statistics.

Their latest figures show there were 118 coronavirus-related deaths up to 15 May. That is an increase of 11 since the previous statistics were announced which were up to 8 May.

They also show that 25 per cent of all deaths between 29 Feb and 15 May in the borough involved coronavirus.

In total in Thurrock there have now been 326 confirmed cases of Covid-19, The population of the borough is 174,341, meaning less than 0.2 per cent of the local population have been recorded as having contracted the bug - though it is likely many have, but have not been tested.

The number of deaths over time does include those in care homes in the borough, which have been quite badly affected by the pandemic.

In one alone, five people died. That was at The Whitecroft on Stanford Road near Orsett. A spokesperson for its operators, Runwood Homes said: "Sadly, we experienced the loss of five much-loved residents due to the virus at The Whitecroft and we relay our message of our sincerest condolences to the families affected, and indeed any families who has lost a loved one to Covid-19."

However, there is currently better news from Runwood, which also runs the Bennett Lodge and Carolyne House care homes in Chadwell St Mary and Leatherland Lodge in South Ockendon.

The spokesperson added:"At this time, none of our Thurrock based service residents have suspected or confirmed Covid-19. We thank our dedicated staff for continuing to provide person-centred care and keeping residents entertained and in touch with their families using voice and video call facilities."