'MORE people need to wear face masks to help keep Covid cases down over Christmas,’ Southend’s public director of health has said.

Krishna Ramkhelawon, the local authority’s health boss, says his Monday morning train to work was full of people without masks.

There is no legal requirement to wear one on public transport in England, although it remains the case in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Coronavirus case rates are falling across south Essex, having spiked last month.

“On the basis of the national predictions, we are expecting to see a further reduction in cases in the coming weeks,” Mr Ramkhelawon explained.

“It’s very positive that we have seen a slow down in cases since the start of half term,” he added.

“However, how people behave in the coming weeks may impact the level of cases. We are seeing fewer people wearing face masks in inside spaces such as trains.

“In fact, on the train into work this morning I was the only person wearing a face mask, which was very different to just a few weeks ago.”

In Southend the rate of infection – expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people – has fallen recently.

In the seven days to November 8 – the latest available accurate data – the rate of infection was posted at 356.7 after 652 new infections were recorded.

The week prior there were 751 new cases across the borough – an infection rate of 410.9.

Basildon and Rochford have experienced similar reductions. The infection rate in Basildon fell from 436.1 to 335.4 after newly recorded cases dropped from 818 to 629.

In Rochford there were just 312 new cases recorded in the seven days to November 8, a rate of 356.1.

South Essex is reflecting the national trend. Of the 377 local areas in the UK, 18 per cent have seen a week-on-week rise in rates, while 82 per cent – one area is unchanged.

“The national messaging has not changed significantly in recent month, although it is not as strong as public health officials would like,” Mr Ramkhelawon said.

“Maybe it’s a case of Covid fatigue, but I think it’s more a case of natural human behaviour. When people see others not wearing a mask, they are more likely to follow and abandon theirs.”

The public health director added that Southend officials remain encouraged by the number of people coming forward for booster jabs while Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to get their booster to get the extra level of protection which will make “all the difference to winter, to Christmas”.