A TOTAL of 108 new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Essex.

Figures show that there have now been 7,167 positive tests in the Essex County Council jurisdiction after new figures were released by the Government on Saturday night - an increase of 87.

The rate of infection in Essex now stands at 491 cases per 100,000 people, still far lower than the England average of 727.

There were also ten new cases in Southend and 11 more in Thurrock.

The Essex cases include five more cases in Colchester and four in Tendring.

Overall, figures released on Saturday showed there had been 12,872 new cases in the UK- more than ever before in a single day.

The Government did not release the new case numbers until late last night due to "a technical issue."

A spokesman said: "This means the total reported over the coming days will include some additional cases from the period between September 24 and October 1, increasing the number of cases reported."