The number of cases of coronavirus in each Colchester area

The Government's coronavirus map has shown the worst affected areas in the borough.

In the seven days to December 31 Mile End and Braiswick had the most cases with 129.

Parson's Heath was second with 120 and Stanway third with 105 cases.

Here is how many cases other areas in Colchester had:

• New Town & Hythe, 97
• Marks Tey & Wakes Colne, 95
• Monkwick, 92
• Abbey Field, 80
• Shrub End, 79
• Old Heath & Rowhedge, 76
• Lexden, 70
• Central Colchester, 69
• Highwoods, 63
• Horkesley Heath, Langham & Dedham, 60
• Prettygate & Westlands, 57
• Greenstead, 48
• Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton & Mersea East, 43
• West Mersea, 39
• Wivenhoe & University, 35

The coronavirus infection map for Colchester for the seven days to December 31

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The infection rate in Colchester rose to 815.1 cases per 100,000 people with 1,587 new cases confirmed in seven days.

In the week previously the rate was 363.1 cases per 100,000 with 707 new cases.

In Tendring the rate is now 835.8 cases per 100,000 people with 1,225 new cases.

The week before the rate was 345.2.

The figures, for the seven days to January 1, are based on tests carried out in laboratories and in the wider community.

It comes as town leaders have told people in Colchester they "cannot and must not give up now" as the third lockdown began.

In a joint message by party leaders and Colchester Council leader Mark Cory, families across the town were urged to follow the new tougher rules.

Mark Cory

In the message Mr Cory and Martin Goss, Tina Bourne, Paul Dundas and Beverly Oxford said: "Colchester pulled together and had lower infection rates than elsewhere during the first two lockdowns – entering Tier 4 restrictions later than the rest of Essex just before Christmas.

"But despite our resilience and high levels of compliance, the new variant is more transmissible and there has been a worrying rise in cases locally since then.

"Please, please follow the rules; think about reducing the risk of infection both to yourself and others and continue to do everything you can to keep infection rates down.

"Everyone knows how difficult and disruptive to normal life this is, but we cannot and must not give up now."