The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Southend increased by 14 over the last 24 hours, official figures show.

Public Health England figures show that 961 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday (October 6) in Southend, up from 947 the same time on Monday.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

The rate of infection in Southend now stands at 525 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 807.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 14,542 over the period to 530,113.

It comes after an error which saw 15,841 cases go unreported between September 25 and October 2 because of problems in handling an Excel spreadsheet.

Southend's cases were among the 33,621 recorded across the East of England, a figure which rose by 492 over the last 24 hours.

Cumulative case counts include patients who are currently unwell, have recovered and those that have died.

The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Thurrock increased by eight over the last 24 hours.

Public Health England figures show that 786 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday (October 6) in Thurrock, up from 778 the same time on Monday.

The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Essex increased by 131 over the last 24 hours.

Public Health England figures show that 7,566 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday (October 6) in Essex, up from 7,435 the same time on Monday.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

The rate of infection in Essex now stands at 508 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 807.