Southend has seen a big rise in the number of cases of the Indian Covid variant recorded in the past week.

Public Health England figures show 51 cases of the Delta variant had been found in Southend as of June 16.

That was 37 more than the 14 cases recorded the week before.

Thurrock saw a similar surge in cases in the past week, up 25 to take the overall total to 41.

There were 11 new cases in Basildon last week, and six in Castle Point.

Southend continues to have the highest rate of coronavirus infections in south Essex according to the latest Government figures.

There were 78 new cases of the virus recorded in the borough in the seven days up to June 15 – an increase of 16 the week before.

By contrast, the number of new cases recorded in the neighbouring areas of Basildon, Castle Point and Rayleigh were all below 30.

The rate of infection in the Southend borough is 42 cases per 100,000 people, but data from Southend Council shows that drops down to just 8.8 cases per 100,000 people in the over 60s.

The areas with the highest number of cases recorded in the past week are Southend Central (12), Blenheim Park (9) and Prittlewell (8).

Other areas in south Essex, such as Hockley and Hawkwell West in Rayleigh, meanwhile recorded 10 new cases in the past week, while there was 12 in Purfleet and Lakeside, and 10 in Tilbury.

Basildon is the only borough or district in south Essex which has seen Covid cases drop in the past week.

The rise in infections across the region has had no impact on hospital admissions however, with the number of patients in our hospitals actually decreasing.

Government data up to June 15 shows there were only two people being treated for coronavirus across Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals.

That was down from 11 the week before.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive at the UK Health Security Agency said: "It is encouraging to see that hospitalisations and deaths are not rising at the same rate but we will continue to monitor it closely.

"The vaccination programme and the care that we are all taking to follow the guidance are continuing to save lives.

"Please make sure that you come forward to receive both doses of the vaccine as soon as you are eligible.

"Don’t drop your guard – practise ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times."