All areas of the Maldon district have seen Covid rates fall, according to the latest interactive map published by the Government.

Burnham-on-Crouch saw the biggest decline in infections in percentage terms, at 62.3 per cent, in the seven-day period ending on Tuesday, 11 January.

The next biggest falls were in Heybridge, at 59.8 per cent, and Maldon North, at 55.8 per cent.

The Southminster, Bradwell and Dengie Peninsula area is the only region that reported an infection rate above 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.

But Covid is continuing to put pressure on Essex hospitals.

A senior Essex doctor told the LDRS that Covid could lead to staffing issues at Broomfield Hospital getting "very difficult in the next few weeks".

Figures show Covid staff absences have rocketed across hospitals in Essex, with a total of 7,438 days lost at the county's hospitals in the week ending January 2 because staff were sick or self-isolating.

That was up nearly 20 per cent from 6,232 the week before, and up nearly 70 per cent from 4,396 days lost the fortnight before.

The senior Essex clinician, who did not want to be identified, said: "The main problems are staffing and flow and capacity. Covid is causing some issues but nothing like last January.

"That was truly hell on earth. But obviously we are now having to deal with normal acute care plus elective backlogs. The staffing issues could get very difficult in the next few weeks."

A spokesperson for the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said: "The Omicron variant is affecting people across the community including NHS staff, which is leading to higher levels of staff absence.

"Our staff are working tirelessly to minimise the impact of this and we have robust plans in place to ensure that patients who urgently need our care continue to receive it.

"The public can continue to support us by getting their Covid and flu vaccinations, washing and sanitising hands regularly, and wearing face coverings where applicable."

Here's a full breakdown of the figures for the Maldon district:

The figures are for the seven-day period ending on Tuesday, 11 January.

Burnham-on-Crouch

Total cases: 55 (-91)

Down by 62.3 per cent on the previous week.

Case rate per 100,000 people is 669.

Heybridge

Total cases: 70 (-104)

Down by 59.8 on the previous week.

Case rate per 100,000 people is 814.8.

Maldon North

Total cases: 50 (-63)

Down by 55.8 per cent on the previous week.

Case rate per 100,000 people is 722.6.

Mayland, Althorne and Cold Norton

Total cases: 79 (-94)

Down by 54.3 per cent on the previous week.

Case rate per 100,000 people is 737.9.

Maldon South

Total cases: 60 (-61)

Down by 50.4 per cent on the previous week.

Case rate per 100,000 people is 774.5.

Great Totham, Wickham Bishops and Woodham

Total cases: 72 (-66)

Down by 47.8 per cent on the previous week.

Case rate per 100,000 people is 959.5.

Southminster, Bradwell and Dengie Peninsula

Total cases: 93 (-75)

Down by 44.6 per cent on the previous week.

Case rate per 100,000 people is 1,009.1.

Tollesbury, Tolleshunt and Goldhanger

Total cases: 62 (-46)

Down by 42.6 per cent on the previous week.

Case rate per 100,000 people is 954.3.