Coronavirus cases are in the rise in Epping Forest, Harlow, Brentwood and more than half of England.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 52 per cent have seen a rise in rates in the seven days to April 23 (the most up-to-date accurate data).

In Epping Forest there were 19 newly recorded Covid-19 infections between April 17 – 23.

The rate of infection in the district, expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 residents, has risen to 14.4, up from 12.1 the week before when there were 16 newly recorded cases of the deadly virus.

In Harlow the rate of infection for the seven days to April 23 was recorded at 19.5 after 17 new infections.

In the seven days to April 16 there were new 10 new infection in the town, a rate of 11.5.

Brenwood has experienced the smallest rise, jumping from a rate of 18.2 to 19.5 after 15 cases were recorded in the seven days to April 23.

For comparison, Selby in North Yorkshire continues to have the highest rate, with 100 new cases in the seven days to April 23 – the equivalent of 110.4 cases per 100,000 people.