THE rate of infection is Southend has increased for the first time in almost two weeks according to new figures. 

Government statistics show both the number of new cases and how that translates into the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

It's important to note that while there has been an increase in Southend, the numbers are still realtively small.

In Southend, the rate is now calculated to be 2.7, with five new cases discovered in the last seven days. The rate a week ago was 2.2, with four new cases confirmed. 

In Basildon, the rate has halved, to 2.2, with four new cases. Last week the rate was at 5.4, with ten new cases confirmed. 

In Castle Point, the seven-day rate has halved and is now calculated to be 3.3, with three new cases confirmed in the last seven days. 

Seven days ago, the rate was at 6.7, with six new cases confirmed. 

In Rochford, the rate has increased from 1.1 to 3.4, with three new cases confirmed. 

The figures, for the seven days to July 30, are based on tests carried out in laboratories - pillar one of the Government's testing programme - and in the wider community - pillar two.

Data for the most recent three days (July 31-August 2) has been excluded
as it is incomplete and likely to be revised.

For comparison, elsewhere, in Blackburn with Darwen, the rate has risen slightly from 77.2 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 79.9 in the seven days to July 30. A total of 119 new cases have been recorded.

Oldham is in second place, where the seven-day rate has jumped from 41.6 to 62.8, with 148 new cases.

Bradford is third, where the rate has risen from 46.9 to 53.4, with 287 new cases.

The rate in Leicester continues to fall, down from 66.2 to 52.6, with
187 new cases.

Other areas reporting notable week-on-week jumps include, in Greater
Manchester:

- Trafford (up from 31.3 to 38.1, with 90 new cases)

- Manchester (up from 18.6 to 34.3, with 188 new cases)

- Tameside (up from 12.9 to 28.4, with 64 new cases)

- Stockport (up from 13.7 to 22.6, with 66 new cases)

And elsewhere in England:

- Swindon (up from 18.9 to 45.5, with 101 new cases)

- Calderdale (up from 23.3 to 41.9, with 88 new cases)

- Preston (up from 13.4 to 34.6, with 49 new cases)

- Northampton (up from 19.1 to 28.4, with 64 new cases)