An interactive map has shown Covid deaths soared in numerous parts of south Essex last month. 

The data put together by the Office for National Statistics has given a glimpse of the true impact of the second wave of infections which were seen over the New Year period. 

South Essex was placed under the toughest Tier 4 lockdown restrictions over Christmas after a new, transmissable Covid variant saw infections soar across the region. 

The national lockdown enforced in January has helped to bring infection rates right down across the county, but the map by the ONS has now given an indication of just how bad the situation was. 

Neighbourhoods are broken down on the map via Middle layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs), a system designed to improve the reporting of small areas with an average population of 7,200.

The areas with the highest number of Covid deaths in January included: 

  • Blenheim Park - 31
  • Chalkwell - 26
  • Southend Central - 21
  • Canvey Island North West - 21
  • Canvye Island Newlands - 17
  • Hockley and Hawkwell West - 17
  • Vange and Pitsea - 16

Search the ONS' map below to find the total number of Covid deaths in your area both in January, and throughout the whole pandemic:

The latest data from NHS England shows there are still 371 Covid patients being treated by the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust. 

It is responsible for Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals. 

39 of the 371 patients are being treated on ventilators. 

The NHS England data shows 2,254 patients at the hospitals have died from Covid-19 since the pandemic began a year ago.

A total of 69 deaths have been recorded there in the past week, up from 50 the previous week.

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Daily death counts are revised each day, with each case backdated to the actual date of death.

This means some of the deaths that were first recorded in the latest period may actually have taken place days earlier.

NHS England guidance states: "Confirmation of Covid-19 diagnosis, death notification and reporting in central figures can take up to several days and the hospitals providing the data are under significant operational pressure."

Only deaths that occur in hospitals where the patient has tested positive for Covid-19 are recorded, with deaths in the community excluded, such as those in care homes.