Weekly Covid deaths at south Essex hospitals down to three

The latest figures from NHS England show there has now been a total of 2,362 Covid deaths at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust as of today. 

That means there have been three deaths in the past week at Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals and is the first time in months the weekly death toll has stayed at single figures. 

The three victims were among 10,413 deaths recorded across the East of England since the pandemic began. 

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.

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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.

Infection rates remain low across each district and borough in south Essex. 

In Southend, the rate of infection stands at 38.2 cases per 100,000 people after 70 positive tests were carried out in the past week. 

The rate in Basildon is now as low as 19.8, with 37 cases confirmed in the latest seven day period. 

Rochford has the highest infection rate in the region at 41.2. 

The rate in Castle Point is 28.8 and in Thurrock, it stands at 36.1.