Map shows number of Covid cases across Colchester as rate rises

Data from the week to May 9 shows the average infection rate across the borough was 19 cases per 100,000 people.

This is because there were 37 cases of Covid confirmed during this week.

The rate has increased from 9.2 cases per 100,000 people a week earlier, when there were 18 cases in seven days.

Although the rate remains low, there are now also five areas of the town included on the Government's hotspots map.

This is the largest number seen since the beginning of April.

The other 15 areas continue to have less than three cases, meaning the virus is classed as "suppressed" in these parts of the town.

Colchester's Covid rate doubles in a week with five areas now on hotspots map

Here are the latest number of cases in each part of Colchester in the week to May 8:

• Central Colchester - 5
• Old Heath & Rowhedge - 5
• Shrub End - 3
• Prettygate & Westlands - 3
• Horkesley Heath, Langham & Dedham - 3
• Monkwick - less than three
• Parson's Heath - less than three
• Mile End and Braiswick - less than three
• Greenstead - less than three
• Abbey Field - less than three
• Highwoods - less than three
• New Town & Hythe - less than three
• Stanway - less than three
• Wivenhoe & University - less than three
• Marks Tey & Wakes Colne - less than three
• West Bergholt & Wormingford - less than three
• Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton & Mersea East - less than three
• West Mersea - less than three
• Lexden - less than three
• Tiptree - less than three

Tendring's average infection rate is now 16.4 cases per 100,000 people, up from 11.6 cases per 100,000 people a week earlier.

Read more:

• Sage to host emergency meeting on spread of Indian Covid variant
• Anger at plans for 120 home new estate in Wivenhoe
• New rules announced for recycling glass and cans in Colchester

News of rising Covid rates in north Essex comes amid concerns over the spread of the Indian variant of the virus in Britain.

New coronavirus cases involving the Indian variant have more than doubled in a week as Government ministers said they cannot rule out imposing local restrictions to suppress its spread.

Data from Public Health England (PHE) published on Thursday shows a steep rise in cases associated with B16172, which has been designated as a “variant of concern”, from 520 last week to 1,313.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the situation was being monitored carefully and the Government “will not hesitate to take further action if necessary”.

There are 1,313 confirmed cases of the B16172 variant in the UK.