The number of people being treated for coronavirus has increased by nearly a third in the past week.

The latest figures show there are now 96 patients being treated for the virus at Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals.

That is up from 66 the week before.

And the latest data shows the number of beds at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 increased by 12% in the last four weeks.

Across England there were 6,099 people in hospital with Covid as of October 19, with 733 of them in mechanical ventilation beds.

The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised nationally has increased by 10% in the last four weeks, while the number on mechanical ventilators has decreased by 5%.

The figures also show that 71 new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust in the week to October 17. This was up from 66 in the previous seven days.

It comes as infections continue to rise across England, including in south Essex.

Rochford still has the highest infection rate in the region, while Southend has the lowest – and is the only borough or district in south Essex with a rate below 400 cases per 100,000 people.

Here is the latest data for areas for the week ending October 16:

Basildon

783 new coronavirus cases – up 263 from the week before

Infection rate of 417.5

Castle Point

393 new coronavirus cases – up 119 from the week before

Infection rate of 434.1

Rochford

446 new coronavirus cases – up 122 from the week before

Infection rate of 509

Southend

656 new coronavirus cases – up 110 from the week before

Infection rate of 358.9

Thurrock

731 new coronavirus cases – up 187 from the week before

Infection rate of 416.5