The latest Covid infection rates across Essex are still climbing in all areas with Maldon district recording 352.7 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to Tuesday, 15 December.

It is important to note that the figure for this period could still rise as not all results for tests taken up to and including that date may yet be in.

The national average is currently 226.2 cases per 100,000. Back in the summer, Maldon had one of the lowest infection rates in the UK, but in the weeks since lockdown two ended the infection rate for the district - and for the county - has increased exponentially.

This resulted in the Government placing Tier 3 'Very High' level restrictions on parts of Essex, including Maldon district, on Wednesday (16 December).

However, Maldon's infection rate still remains well below that of the overall Essex County Council area, which in the seven days up to 15 December had 7,598 new cases recorded, equal to 512.1 cases per 100,000.

Basildon continues to have the highest rate in Essex - and in the country - with an alarming 914.8 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days up to 15 December.

These figures were calculated using the Essex County Council Covid tracker data sheets, based on Public Health England data. As noted above, this data may show a further increase as not all results for tests taken up to that date are necessarily yet recorded.