More than a dozen areas in south Essex have Covid infection rates above the national average.

In England the infection rate is 107.7 cases per 100,000 people.

Across south Essex as a whole, the figures for the seven days to February 23 show Thurrock has the highest infection rate with 115.3 cases per 100,000 people.

This is because there were 201 cases confirmed.

And while rates in places such as Basildon and Southend have now dipped below the national average, there are still smaller areas where cases are higher than health bosses would like.

The map below shows the infection rate in each part of south Essex and how much it has changed in a week.

It shows a number of areas highlighted blue, meaning the infection rates are higher than the national average.

Echo:

Grays Town has one of the highest rates of infection, with 258 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending February 23.

During that time period there were 26 new cases.

Here are the areas which recorded infection rates above the national average in that period:

Vange and Pitsea – 174

Canvey Island North West – 152

Canvey Island South West – 131.8

Rochford Outer and Hawkwell East – 149

Westborough – 169.8

Chalvedon – 109.1

East Tilbury – 138.2

Tilbury – 122.1

Little Thurrock North – 208.7

Grays Chafford Gorges and Orsett Road – 235.3

Grays Town – 258

North Ockendon – 181.5

Herongate, Ingrave & West Horndon – 342.1

Hutton – 218.9

The latest figures come after England’s deputy chief medical officer warned people “don’t wreck this now” amid concerns Covid rates were beginning to rise again in some parts of the country.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said he feared people were relaxing too early following the unveiling of the road-map out of lockdown and insists everyone must continue to follow the rules.

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He compared the situation to a football match, adding: “It is a bit like being 3-0 up in a game and thinking, ‘We can’t possibly lose this now’ – but how many times have we seen the other side take it 4-3?

“Do not wreck this now. It is too early to relax. Just continue to maintain discipline and hang on just a few more months.

“Much as it is encouraging and much as I am upbeat about vaccines and how they are going to change how we live and what the disease is like between now and the summer, there is a long way to go.”