News in Maldon

The leader of Maldon District Council has spoken of her disappointment at people breaking social distancing rules - and has urged residents to stick to them as the new lockdown comes into effect.

In a statement on the new lockdown, Councillor Wendy Stamp said: "In light of the rising Covid-19 cases across the country as a whole, it was inevitable that we would need another national lockdown.

The leader of Essex County Council (ECC) has said the new lockdown is "essential" and described how NHS staff in the county are "working day and night" to keep services going in the midst of the crisis.

Responding to news of the national lockdown announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night (Monday, 4 January), Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, said:

Maldon Nub News will be bringing you news and updates throughout the day following the announcement of the new national lockdown last night (Monday, 4 January).

The first of these updates is that has been announced that the Government will provide retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with new grants to help keep them afloat until the spring.

Maldon district's Covid-19 infection rate passed 900 per 100,000 cases on the day a new national lockdown was announced.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the tough new lockdown for England using the now familiar 'stay at home' message at 8pm this evening (Monday, 4 January). The lockdown will start at midnight tonight.

Mid Essex health chiefs have issued a warning to residents after reports of Covid-19 vaccination scams.

A spokesperson for Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: "We are aware that some people are receiving fraudulent calls and text messages offering the Covid-19 vaccination.

In his latest regular column, Chairman of Maldon District Council, Councillor Mark Heard, explains more about local councillors, their role and how local democracy works.

What is a Democratically Elected Councillor?

A doctor at Broomfield Hospital has indicated that a full national lockdown for at least the next four weeks is unavoidable – given the number of surging Covid-19 cases across Essex.

Respiratory consultant Dr Steve Jenkins predicted that January looked "very grim" in an earlier Facebook post, where he also warned that he could not be certain that the NHS would be able to provide comprehensive emergency care heading into deep winter.

Overnight closures of a section of the northbound A12 will begin at 9pm today (4 January).

The schedule of closures by Highways England will allow staff to carry out investigations in preparation of the A12 road-widening scheme.

Happy New Year, Maldon!

We can't wait to continue to spread the good word of our community and report on the stories that matter to you.

There has been a huge spike in new Covid-19 cases recorded for tests taken on Thursday, 29 December in Maldon district and across Essex.

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the county recorded more than 3,000 new cases on a single date - with 3,146 for the 29 December.