Coronavirus infection rates have fallen by almost 50 per cent in Basildon and Southend in the last seven days.

The rates of infection in the two Essex boroughs reflect a national trend, with health officials suggesting figures show the country may be emerging from the summer peak.

In Basildon there were 392 newly recorded cases of Covid-19 between July 24 and 31 – the latest available accurate data.

The rate of infection, expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people, now stands at 209.4 having fallen from 402.8 the week earlier when 754 new infections were recorded.

Cllr Andrew Baggot, leader of Basildon Council, welcomed the news, which he said was a result of residents’ common sense, but called for efforts to drive down the virus to continue.

“It’s really good news, but of course the key thing is to keep rates moving down, which they are doing because the public, on the whole, have been very sensible about wearing masks where appropriate and applying common sense to the whole scenario we have found ourselves in,” he said.

“The evidence is there and we can see that the virus is clearly coming down because people are being sensible, we just need more of the same in the coming weeks.”

In Southend the rates of infection have fallen, although less drastically.

In the seven days to July 31, the rate of infection was recorded as 255.6 after 468 new cases were posted.

The week prior there were 735 new cases – an infection rate of 401.4.

Cllr Cheryl Nevin, Southend Council cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “It’s good news but we need to be mindful that we continue to observe good hygiene and social distancing.

“We still need to be careful of those people that have yet to be fully vaccinated. We encourage anybody to come forward who has not yet had both of their jabs.

“The council is working on a plan to use community assets to try and address lower vaccination rates in the central parts of Southend. However, in some of these areas they have younger populations and some may still be waiting for there second vaccination.”

Of the 315 local areas in England, 30 have seen a week-on-week rise in rates and 285 or 90 per cent have seen a fall.