DOZENS of neighbourhoods in south Essex are still recording mutliple cases of Covid-19 despite another drop in infection rates. 

The Government's Covid hotspots map shows only Canvey Island Newlands, Benfleet North, Benfleet Appleton, Grays Chafford Gorges and Orsett Road, and Purfleet, South Stifford and Lakeside are recording rates above 100 cases per 100,000 people. 

And though rates across the region are now below 50, there are still some areas which have recorded multiple cases of Covid-19 in the past week. 

So here are all the neighbourhoods which are still highlighted on the hotspots map and how many cases were reported in the seven days ending March 19:

  • Shoebury – 5
  • West Shoebury – 5
  • Southchurch – 5
  • St Lukes – 6
  • Kursaal – 6
  • Victoria – 5
  • Southend Central – 6
  • Prittlewell – 5
  • Westborough – 8
  • Blenheim Park – 4
  • West Leigh – 3
  • Hadleigh South – 3
  • Thundersley Glen – 4
  • Benfleet North – 8
  • Benfleet Appleton – 8
  • South Benfleet – 6
  • Felmore & Bowers Gifford – 5
  • Basildon Central & Pipps Hill – 7
  • Steeple View & Noak Bridge – 3
  • Laindon West & Southfields – 4
  • Langdon Hills – 3
  • Wickford West – 3
  • Wickford South – 3 
  • Rayleigh North West – 4
  • Rayleigh South West – 8
  • Rayleigh South East – 6
  • Rayleigh North East – 5
  • Rochford Outer & Hawkwell East – 4
  • Ashingdon – 3
  • Hockley & Hawkwell West – 4
  • Billericay Tye Common – 3
  • Chadwell St Mary – 5
  • Little Thurrock South – 4
  • Little Thurrock North – 6
  • Stifford Clays – 5
  • Grays Town – 9
  • Grays Chafford Gorges & Orsett Road – 11
  • Purfleet, South Stifford & Lakeside – 16
  • South Chafford – 4
  • South Ockendon - 3

Echo:

Areas not on the above list are no longer highlighted on the map and recorded two or fewer cases in the weekly period. 

It comes as lockdown restrictions are set to ease again from Monday, when gatherings of up to six people outside will be allowed. 

Outdoor exercise and sports facilities will also reopen from Monday. 

Ahead of the relaxation, Essex County Council is urging residents to "get in the habit" of getting tested to ensure there are no outbreaks of coronavirus in communities. 

Director of health, Dr Mike Gogarty, said: "We are already beginning to see infection rates levelling off, following a strong decline in numbers.

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"The actions we take as individuals over the weeks to come will make a difference in preventing another significant rise in cases.

"As restrictions ease, cases will inevitably rise and therefore we are urging people to be as careful as possible and not risk losing the freedoms we are all looking forward to enjoying again.

“With multiple testing routes available, getting tested regularly is a simple habit to form and it will help to stop the spread enormously.

"And if you are positive and need to self-isolate, there is financial support available.

"From 29 March, if you are planning to meet with people outside your bubble or household, we urge you to take a lateral flow test before you do so.

“Keeping a two metre distance of those outside of your household will also prevent the risk of being identified as a close contact by Test and Trace and reduce the need for self-isolation.”