COLCHESTER'S coronavirus infection rate has increased again within the last 24 hours.

There has been 259 cases confirmed in the latest seven day period.

The infection rate in the town is now 133.0 cases per 100,000 people - up from 91.0 this time last week.

In Tendring, the infection rate remains steady and has only increase by four in the last 24 hours, with the rate now 114.6 cases per 100,000 people, with 166 cases confirmed.

This is up marginally from 110.5 a day before.

Both area's infection rates remain well below the Essex average of 360.7 cases per 100,000 people.

Basildon remains one of the worst affected areas in England, with a rate of 765.0 cases per 100,000 people.

A Government map showing the worst affected areas across Colchester shows Greenstead had 30 cases in the seven days to December 13.

Here are the cases by area in Colchester:

Greenstead - 34

Monkwick - 22

Central Colchester - 18

New Town and Hythe - 16

Mile End and Braiswick - 16

Parson's Heath - 15

Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton and Mersea East - 15

Stanway - 14

Abbey Field - 14

Marks Tey and Wakes Colne - 11

Highwoods - 12

Wivenhoe and University - 11

Tiptree - 6

Shrub End - 9

Horkesley Heath, Langham and Dedham - 9

West Bergholt and Wormingford - 5

Prettygate and Westlands - 3

West Mersea has not bene highlighted on the hotspots map as it has less than three cases confirmed in the seven day period up to December 13.