THE leader of Thurrock Council is calling on residents to do "all they can" to fight Covid-19 through Tier 4 restrictions.

With Thurrock now having the third highest rate of COVID-19 infection in the country, Council Leader Rob Gledhill is calling on residents to make sure they are doing all they can to slow the rate of infection and to protect each other and the NHS.

Mr Gledhill said: "The situation in Thurrock is now more serious than it has ever been and we all need to play our part to stop the spread of infection and protect the NHS.

"We are dealing with a new strain of the virus which is over 70 per cent more infectious than the original coronavirus. In Thurrock it has caused a massive increase in the number of people infected, especially in the 11 to 18 year-old age range, and unless we all take action it will continue to spread.

"I am again calling on all residents to do more to slow the spread of coronavirus.

"What we have learned over the weekend changes everything. The new strain of virus is passed on easier from person to person – putting more residents at risk of contracting the virus.

"Thurrock is facing a situation every bit as grave as that which we faced in March this year and we must all react appropriately.

"We all need to be cautious, only make journeys if they are absolutely essential and abide by the government advice for tier 4 restrictions.

"We must now all act as if everyone we come in contact with has the virus and do everything we can to limit our exposure to it. By taking hands, face, space advice seriously, irrespective of location, and isolating when required we can become part of the solution.

"Being in tier 4 with the highest infection rate in the country isn’t something we can ignore. We all need to take personal responsibility to help reduce the pressure on the NHS."

Brentwood now has the highest rate in the country, with 1,111 new cases recorded in the seven days to December 23 – the equivalent of 1,442.5 cases per 100,000 people.

This is up steeply from 886.8 in the seven days to December 16.

Epping Forest has the second highest rate, up from 971.2 to 1,388.1, with 1,828 new cases.

Thurrock is in third place, where the rate has risen from 1,066.9 to 1,330.7, with 2,320 new cases.

Aside from these areas, the local authorities with the biggest week-onweek jumps are Castle Point (up from 787.8 to 1,179.5, with 1,066 new cases); Hertsmere (up from 472.7 to 821.6, with 862 new cases); and Harlow (up from 590.3 to 929.2, with 809 new cases).

Basildon is now at number six, Southend is at number eight and Rochford is at number 12.

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

The whole of the county is now in Tier 4, which means all non-essential shops must close.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants must also close but can open to offer takeaway.

Tier 4 measures are due to be reviewed in two weeks, but there is no guarantee any areas will be lifted out of the category then.

In fact, the Health Secretary said the new measures could be in place for the “next couple of months”.