The coronavirus infection rate across south Essex has been updated according to new figures. 

Each week, the Government publishes a rolling seven-day rate based on tests carried out in laboratories - pillar one of the Government's testing programme - and in the wider community - pillar two.

The rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Last night, the Southend rate was placed at 4.4, with eight new cases confirmed in the last week, up from 2.2 seven days ago, when four cases had been confirmed. 

It means the borough's rate has doubled but it is important to note the number of cases is still very low. 

In Basildon, the rate has increased to 2.7, after five new cases were confirmed. 

That is up from 1.1 a week prior, when two cases were confirmed. 

In Castle Point the rate has stayed steady at 4.4, with four new cases confirmed, exactly the same as the situation a week ago.

In Rochford, the rate has risen slightly, to 1.1, with one new case confirmed. That is up from 0 a week ago, when no new cases had been confirmed. 

For context, Northampton continues to have the highest rate, as a result of an outbreak at the Greencore sandwich factory.

A total of 262 new cases were recorded in the town in the seven days to August 16, the equivalent of 116.6 per 100,000 people, up from 38.7 in the seven days to August 9.

In Oldham, the rate has dropped from 105.4 to 84.3, with 200 new cases.

Blackburn with Darwen is third, where the rate has risen very slightly from 74.2 to 76.2, with 114 new cases.

In Leicester the rate continues to fall, down from 68.9 to 47.4, with 168 new cases.

Other areas recording notable week-on-week jumps include:

– Manchester (up from 37.8 to 49.0, with 271 new cases)

– Salford (up from 24.3 to 36.7, with 95 new cases)

– Bury (up from 25.1 to 33.0, with 63 new cases)

– Birmingham (up from 22.4 to 30.0, with 343 new cases)