CORONAVIRUS cases are surging in Southend as the borough comes close to recording 100 new infections a week.

The latest data shows there were 996 new cases confirmed across Southend in the week ending November 23.

That was up 26 per cent on the previous week when 787 cases were recorded.

The sharp rise means the infection rate in the borough stands at 544.9 cases per 100,000 people.

Multiple neighbourhoods have seen infections soar in the past week, with the likes of Great Wakering and Foulness, and Belfairs seeing a rise above 100 per cent.

These are the areas that have seen the biggest increases in Southend in the past week:

Great Wakering and Foulness

91 cases

Up 71 (355%) on last week

Shoebury

87 cases

Up 38 (77%) on last week

Eastwood

89 cases

Up 43 (93%) on last week

Prittlewell

62 cases

Up 22 (55%) on last week

Chalkwell

43 cases

Up 17 (65%) on last week

Eastwood Park

59 cases

Up 22(59%) on last week

Belfairs

62 cases

Up 34 (121%) on last week

It comes as health bosses in Essex continue to investigate the emergence of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

Essex County Council said “necessary precautionary action” – including switching to remote learning for one class – has been taken at Larchwood Primary School in Pilgrims Hatch to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

It comes as masks are being recommended in England’s schools following the detection of at least three cases of the Omicron variant in the UK.

Read more >> What you need to know about the Omicron Covid cases found in Essex

A joint statement from the council and school said: “Following further contact tracing of the known Omicron Covid-19 case in Brentwood, it has been confirmed that there is a link to Larchwood Primary School based in Pilgrims Hatch.

“The UK Health and Security Agency, Department of Health and Social Care, Larchwood Primary School and colleagues from Essex County Council and Brentwood Council have worked together to take necessary precautionary action to prevent the spread.

“This includes making specialist testing available for all pupils and school staff and confirming arrangements for remote learning for one class.”

They added that the measures are “precautionary”.