CORONAVIRUS infection rates are falling across north Essex but health bosses have warned it is “absolutely vital” people keep following the rules.

Essex County Council says the latest Covid-19 data available shows a “significant reduction” in case rates across Essex.

In the seven days to 14 January, there were 9,592 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Essex.

It means the weekly case rate across the county is now 644.1 cases per 100,000 people.

In Colchester, the rate has fallen from 882.4 cases per 100,000 people to 604.5.

Tendring has the second highest weekly case rate according to the latest figures.

There are now 890.9 cases per 100,000 people. This is down from 1,220.3 the week before.

As of Tuesday, there were 1,182 beds occupied by confirmed Covid-19 patients in Essex hospital trusts.

John Spence, Essex County Council’s Cabinet member for health, said: “I am pleased to see a reduction in case rates across the county, and hope that they continue to fall.

“Positivity rates have also declined, with the range being between 18.8 per cent in Harlow and 10.9 per cent in Uttlesford.

“However, both case rates and positivity rates do remain significantly higher than at any time in wave one so we must not be complacent.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Warning - Essex County Council's John Spence Warning - Essex County Council's John Spence

“It is absolutely vital that everyone continues to adhere to the guidance, remember to follow the rules of hand, face, space, work from home if possible, and always socially distance.”

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It comes as another 17 patients have died after testing positive for Covid-19 at the trust which runs Colchester Hospital.

The latest NHS figures, released today, show 818 people have died with Covid at the East Suffolk and North Essex Trust.

This has increased 17 on Wednesday’s figure.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: As of Tuesday, there were 1,182 beds occupied by confirmed Covid-19 patients in Essex hospital trusts. Picture: PAAs of Tuesday, there were 1,182 beds occupied by confirmed Covid-19 patients in Essex hospital trusts. Picture: PA

Another patient has also died at Clacton Hospital, which is run by Anglian Community Enterprise.

A further 789 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 64,111 since the start of the pandemic.

Covid-19 case rates have fallen in every region of England, according to the latest weekly surveillance report from Public Health England.

But there are 39 per cent more Covid-positive in-patients in England’s biggest hospital trust, Birmingham, now than there were during its first treatment peak.