Covid-19 infection rates remain stable in Epping Forest and Harlow.

The two districts have recorded infection rates – expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people – below 25 since the beginning of April.

Harlow currently has a higher rate of infection after 18 new cases were recorded in the town in the seven days to May 7 – the latest available accurate data.

Harlow’s infection rate, 20.7, is up from 18.4 the week prior when 16 infections were posted.

In Epping Forest there has also ben a slight rise in cases, but nothing to cause alarm.

The district’s rate of infection in the seven days to May 7 was 11.4 after 15 new cases were recorded up from 8.4 the week before.

It has been two weeks since the last recorded Covid-19 death at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, which serves the populations of both districts.

The NHS trust which runs the hospital has reported a total of 537 across the duration of the pandemic with only two deaths in the month of April and nine in March.