LATEST Covid-19 figures for Essex show that there have been almost six times as many confirmed cases in the 50-plus age group as there were just four weeks ago.

The new data does not include a breakdown to district level for age range, but does include all the cases that have been confirmed in the Maldon district.

In the week ending 19 September, there were 73 confirmed coronavirus cases in the 50-plus categories – in the week ending October 16, this had increased to 428.

Essex County Council has now published data, including the graph shown here, which illustrates the rise. The only age group displaying a decrease is the under-20s.

The shift is worrying for health chiefs as it indicates a potential rise in the need for hospital beds, given the increased frequency of serious illness caused by Covid-19 infection in older people.

Public Health England today (Friday, 23 October) issued a plea for older people in the area to take up their flu jabs, in a bid to lessen the potential impact of the crisis.

Dr David Edwards, Consultant in Health Protection, PHE East said:

"As we enter the flu season, it is more important than ever to be vaccinated, this will help build a

defence not only for you but for those around you.

"As we are seeing a rise of Covid cases in our elderly, we ask they get their free flu jab to protect them from influenza - fighting Covid and flu at the same time is not something we want to see in our elderly and vulnerable population.

"Covid-19 rates continue to rise in the East of England and we are now seeing a spike amongst our over-60s population. We need to work together to protect ourselves, our loved ones, the elderly and the vulnerable in society."