A neighbourhood in Southend is now recording the highest number of Covid cases in Essex following a big spike in infections in the past week. 

The Government's Covid hotspots map shows there were 29 cases recorded in Leigh in the latest seven day period up to April 3. 

That's 24 more cases than the week before, and means the localised infection rate in the area is now 277.1 cases per 100,000 people. 

The last time Leigh recorded more Covid cases in one week was back in January during the peak of the second wave. 

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The Southend borough is now recording the highest number of coronavirus infections in the county, with 75 cases confirmed in the week ending April 3. 

Thurrock saw the second highest number of cases with 35. 

There were 26 cases recorded in Basildon during that period, 13 in Castle Point and only nine in Rochford. 

Despite recording the highest number of Covid cases, the infection rate in Southend remains low at 41 cases per 100,000 people. 

The UK average is currently 37.3. 

Here are all the areas in Southend currently highlighed on the hotspots map and how many cases were in the latest weekly period:

  • Leigh - 29
  • Westborough - 9
  • West Leigh - 7
  • Chalkwell - 5 
  • Victoria - 5
  • Shoebury - 4
  • Eastwood - 4
  • Belfairs - 3
  • Prittlewell - 3

All areas not highlighted on the map recorded fewer than three cases. 

It comes as Public Health England's latest weekly surveillance report show Covid rates have dropped across all parts of the country.

Eastern England is down from 41.4 to 23.1. while south-east England is down from 34.2 to 19.2.