More than 60,000 people in south Essex have contracted Covid-19 in the past year, official figures show.

Government data shows Thurrock has seen the highest number of cases recorded in the past 12 months, with an estimated one in 100 people in the area having Covid since the first lockdown began.

Basildon has seen the second highest number of Covid cases recorded in south Essex.

Its slightly bigger population means that around nine in 100 people in the borough have had Covid.

Rochford has seen the lowest number of positive Covid test in south Essex.

Here is a breakdown of the figures for all five areas in the region: *Population estimates based on ONS data from 2019

Basildon

Number of Covid cases: 17,547

Estimated population: 187,199

Rate of infection: 9,373.4 cases per 100,000 people

Castle Point

Number of Covid cases: 8,274

Estimated population: 90,376

Rate of infection: 9,155.1 cases per 100,000 people

Rochford

Number of Covid cases: 6,346

Estimated population: 87,368

Rate of infection: 7,263.5 cases per 100,000 people

Southend

Number of Covid cases: 14,554

Estimated population: 183,125

Rate of infection: 7,947.6 cases per 100,000 people

Thurrock

Number of Covid cases: 17,715

Estimated population: 174,341

Rate of infection: 10,161.1 cases per 100,000 people

Around 4.3million cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, according to the Government’s coronavirus dashboard.

However, the number is thought to have been much higher due to limited testing capacity at the start of the pandemic.

The figures for south Essex come on the one-year anniversary since the first lockdown was introduced.

People across the country took part in a one-minute’s silence at midday to remember those who have lost their lives to Covid.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a press conference later today to mark a day of remembrance.