COLCHESTER’S coronavirus infection rate has risen again, with 151 cases being confirmed in the borough over the latest seven day period.

The infection rate in the town now stands at 77.6 cases per 100,000 people, with 151 cases reported in the week up to November 21.

This is up from 69.8 on the previous seven day period.

The figures are based on tests carried out in laboratories and in the wider community.

In Tendring the infection rate has risen to 72.3 cases per 100,000 people, with 106 cases confirmed over the same period.

This is up slightly from 71 in the previous seven day period.

The infection rate in Essex as a whole now sits at 151.7 cases per 100,000 people.

Across the county there were 2,259 positive cases in the seven days up to November 21.

Areas in the south of the county are the worst affected, with Basildon’s infection rate, of 268.7 cases per 100,000 people, almost four times that of Colchester’s.

Swale in Kent has the highest rate in England, with 854 new cases recorded in the seven days to November 20 – the equivalent of 569 cases per 100,000 people.

The infection rate across the whole of England is at 230.3 cases per 100,000 people, meaning Colchester is well below the national average.

The east of England has the lowest average infection rate in England.

There were no further deaths of patients who had tested positive for coronavirus reported at hospitals in north Essex yesterday, however one further death was reported at the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals Trust.