Southend has seen a surge in new Covid cases in the past week, with infections rising by roughly a third.

The borough recorded 488 cases in the seven days ending September 2 – 117 more than the week before.

It means the infection rate now stands at 267 cases per 100,000 people.

Kursaal has seen the biggest increase in the past week, with cases almost doubling to 50.

There has also been significant rises in Chalkwell, Blenheim Park, Great Wakering and Foulness, and Leigh.

Echo: Map showing latest infection rates in Southend boroughMap showing latest infection rates in Southend borough

Here are all the areas in Southend where cases have risen in the past week:

  • Kursaal – 50 cases (up 24)
  • Chalkwell – 32 cases (up 26)
  • Great Wakering and Foulness – 31 cases (up 18)
  • Blenheim Park – 34 cases (up 14)
  • Leigh – 34 cases (up 16)
  • West Leigh – 22 cases (up 8)
  • St Lukes – 27 cases (up 7)
  • Eastwood – 28 cases (up 4)
  • Eastwood Park – 27 cases (up 1)
  • Belfairs – 14 cases (up 1)
  • Southchurch – 35 cases (up 7)
  • Prittlewell – 29 cases (up 7)
  • Victoria – 36 cases (up 11)
  • Southend Central – 32 cases (up 8)

Both Westborough (20) and West Shoebury (28) recorded the same number of cases in the seven days ending September 2 as the week before.

Infections fell in Shoebury by nine - down to 16 - and in Thorpe Bay by 10 – down to 24.

Infection rates are rising in all other districts and boroughs in south Essex again, with Thurrock recording the most (503) in the latest weekly period.

It comes amid speculation about a possible short lockdown in England in October.

But Health Secretary Sajid Javid has denied claims ministers are considering a so-called firebreak lockdown.

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He told Sky News: “I don’t think that’s something we need to consider.

“I haven’t even thought about that as an option at this point.

“I think the decisions that we’ve made in the last few weeks and certainly in the time I’ve been Heath Secretary, I think they’ve turned out to be the right decisions.”

He said no decisions are “risk-free” but insisted the “best defence” against another wave of the virus is the vaccine programme.

He added: “Vaccines are working. Yes, there are still infections, of course there still are. That’s true around the world. But the number of people going into hospital, and certainly those dying, is mercifully low, and that’s because of the vaccines.”