COVID cases in Southend almost tripled in the space of a week as a top health boss urges people to “act now” in the hope we could see a winter without restrictions.

New data has revealed there were 62 confirmed cases in Southend in the seven days up to June 13 - a 195 per cent increase on the previous week.

Southend’s director of public health, Krishna Ramkhelawon, has warned that 21 cases had been picked up since last Friday, with cases “most definitely a variant of concern”.

It comes as the Prime Minister announced on Monday night that stage four of the roadmap out of lockdown will be delayed until July 19.

Mr Ramkhelawon is now urging people to use the next four weeks to carry on getting tested and vaccinated so we can enjoy a summer without local restrictions.

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Mr Ramkhelawon said: “We have the power to stop it becoming a problem if we act now.

“Looking at the rising figures, I think it’s a lot to do with testing.

“The vaccine prevents us getting ill but testing prevents us from getting the virus.

“We are still in a better place. If people can do what is needed this summer, not only can we still enjoy a summer without local restrictions, we could see a winter without them too.

“If we stick to hands, face and space, there’s no reason for us to put restrictions in.”

Despite the rise in cases, only 11 people are in hospital with Covid at the mid and south Essex NHS foundation trust, according to government data on June 8, with only one patient on a ventilator.

There were no daily Covid admissions to any of the trust’s hospital according to data on June 6.

Mr Ramkhelawon added: “It’s good to know that these hospital figures are low.

“While these are positive messages, we have to stay careful.

“We’re at the tail end of the last peak and we’re about to go up now. We will see hospital admissions go up next week or even by the end of this week.

“If you’re testing and you test positive, please self isolate because that reduces the risk of us having to bring restrictions back. It would be a shame if people let their guard down.”

Cabinet member for adult social care and health, Cheryl Nevin, urged people to “keep going” with testing and using hands, face, space to stop the spread of the virus.

To book a test, visit https://www.southend.gov.uk/gettested