The number of recorded Covid-19 cases across Essex increased by 20 over the last 24 hours, official figures show.

Public Health England figures show that 761 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Wednesday (September 2) in Southend, up from 759 the same time on Tuesday.

In the rest of Essex, 6,054 people had been confirmed, up from 6,039 the same time on Tuesday, a rise of 15.

In Thurrock, three more cases were confirmed bringing the total to 625.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

The rate of infection in Southend now stands at 416 cases per 100,000 people, with 407 in Essex and 359 in Thurrock, all far lower than the England average of 520.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 1,508 over the period, to 338,676.

The Essex, Southend and Thurrock cases were among the 26,870 recorded across the East of England, a figure which rose by 81 over the period.

Cumulative case counts include patients who are currently unwell, have recovered and those that have died.