CONFIRMED cases of Covid-19 in the Maldon district have risen in the last two days to take the area above the average infection rate for Essex.

However, it is important to note that the district rates still remain well below any of the areas of the country currently highlighted as of particular concern - and Essex County Council has said that the Maldon figures currently give no special reason for extra concern.

As of this afternoon (Tuesday, 29 September), case numbers have risen to a total of 12 in the past seven days – an increase of six in the past 48 hours. The figure for the previous seven-day period was a total of three cases.

This means the figure per 100,000 people for Maldon stands at 18.5, compared to 16.6 per 100,000 for the Essex county area as a whole. This is the first time during the pandemic that the Maldon statistics have crept up above the county average.

Maldon now has the fifth highest highest level of cases in the 12 districts and boroughs of the county council area. This does not include Thurrock and Southend, as these are unitary authorities.

These figures have been taken from Essex County Council's Covid-19 tracker.

It has been announced that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will give a press briefing to the nation tomorrow afternoon alongside Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and the Government's Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Patrick Vallance.

Essex public health chiefs continue to advise the public to pay strong attention to all Covid-19 prevention measures, including the 'rule of six', social distancing, hand washing and sanitising and the wearing of face coverings as appropriate.