The Covid-19 infection rate for Maldon district is continuing to drop and is now well below national average figures once again.

In the seven days leading up to Sunday, 7 January there was a total of 88 new cases recorded in the Maldon district. This is equal to an infection rate of 135.5 cases per 100,000 population. The full week is allowed for the data to be complete, with the probable return of all test results taken for that period.

The national average infection rate currently stands at around 163 cases per 100,00. The Essex county area as a whole now stands very close to that at 165.2 cases per 100,000 as of 7 February.

While figures still need to come down further, of course, the fall in cases during this third national lockdown is a substantial achievement as in early January Essex and Maldon infection rates were among the highest in the country. In the week leading up to Monday, 4 January, Maldon recorded 708 new cases, equal to 1,089.6 cases per 100,000, while Essex was recording seven-day rates in excess of 1,200 per 100,000 in the early days of the New Year.