The rate of coronavirus infections in Epping Forest has spiked dramatically, almost tripling in a week.

Between August 22 and 29 – the most up-to-date accurate figures – 24 new cases were confirmed in the district at an infection rate of 18.2 cases per 100,000 population.

The week before there had nine new cases in the district which has an approximate population of 120,000 – an infection rate of 6.8.

The trust which runs the district’s main hospital, The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, last recorded a coronavirus related death on May 25 – the trust has reported 201 total deaths.

In Harlow, the rate of infection has fallen.

In the seven days to August 29 there were three new lab-confirmed cases at a rate of 3.4 per 100,000 down from a rate of 6.9 (six cases) the week prior.

Yesterday the NHS confirmed a further nine people who tested positive for coronavirus had died, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths in hospitals in England to 29,563.

The patients were between 71 and 92 years old. All but one had known underlying health conditions.

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