Maldon district now has the third lowest Covid-19 infection rate of all 12 local authority areas in the county - but is one of only two to have shown a small rise in the last few days.

In the seven days up to Thursday, 18 February, Maldon district recorded a case rate of 57 per 100,000. This was the lowest in the Essex county area on that date.

However, in the seven days up to Monday, 22 February - now the latest complete data - Maldon district had moved to 65 cases per 100,000. The only other area to show a tiny increase was Chelmsford, moving from 69.5 on 18 February to 70 per 100,000 on 22 February.

Yesterday (Friday, 26 February), Cllr John Spence, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, in a statement about rates across the county up to 18 February, said: "Case rates continue to decline at a reasonable rate, albeit less rapidly than in previous weeks, but we have seen significant reductions in a number of areas which had seen higher rates recently, including Tendring, Harlow and Braintree.

"We were given a very clear timeline out of the pandemic this week and I know this has been the welcome news we have all been waiting for, but we need to remember it will take a collective effort to get us there.

"I would urge every single resident in Essex to please keep following the guidance – socially distance, wash your hands regularly and wear a face covering if you are able to. It is vital that anyone that has to go out to work also gets tested frequently and if you test positive, you must self-isolate."

Maldon district residents can take lateral flow tests without the need to book in advance at the West Maldon Community Centre in Sunbury Way, Maldon. The postcode is CM9 6YH.

The tests are ONLY for people for who DO NOT have symptoms and give results in around 30 minutes.

As well as walk-in appointments, residents can still book in advance at West Maldon Community Centre via the link here or by phoning 0333 772 6144.

Anyone with symptoms should book a test (NOT at West Maldon Community Centre) using the link here.