HOSPITALS have recorded the lowest number of Covid-19 deaths in seven consecutive days since the pandemic took hold - sparking hope the town is finally over the worst of the pandemic.

It comes as the number of deaths at Basildon Hospital – once the hardest hit in the east – also dropped significantly, with just three recorded in the last week.

At the height of the pandemic, Basildon Hospital recorded 14 deaths in one day, in a week from April 6 to 12, which saw a total of 71 deaths.

Southend’s darkest day, on April 7, also saw 14 deaths recorded. During that week, a total of 65 patients died having tested positive for Covid-19.

Southend Hospital began this week with no new recorded deaths but three were announced yesterday.

While the figures are encouraging, Southend West MP Sir David Amess urged caution.

He said: “I do not believe that our community, who have more or less religiously honoured the lockdown restrictions, should totally relax until a firm trend is established. One death alone represents a heartbreak, none of us want to see any more deaths as a result of the covid-19 virus. I very much want to thank everyone at Southend Hospital who is responsible for the provision of healthcare for those people who are unwell, for their magnificent work during such challenging times.”

Latest NHS England figures issued yesterday, show 215 people had died in hospital at Southend Hospital as of 5pm on Monday. That was an increase of three compared to Sunday, when there were 212. A week ago, there had been 207 deaths recorded.

No new deaths from the virus have been recorded at the Basildon Hospital over the past 24 hours.

The figures show 279 people had died in hospital at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as of Monday – the same number as on Sunday. A week ago, there had been 275 deaths recorded.

Of 23 trusts within the region, Basildon has the third-highest death toll while of the 188 trusts in England, Southend Hospital has the 48th-highest death toll.

A spokesperson for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said: “Whilst we welcome the news of decreasing Covid-19 deaths, the general public must continue to be alert.”

and keeping to the social distancing measures still in place.”