Coronavirus cases have continued to rise in Suffolk but have drastically spiked in parts of north Essex, government data has revealed.
Data in the week up to December 14 revealed that the Covid-19 infection rate in Suffolk was 136.3 cases per 100,000 people, with the figure for Essex at 464.9 in the same timeframe.
Seven-day rates are calculated by dividing the total number of cases in the past week by the area’s population, and multiplying by 100,000.
Suffolk remains in Tier 2 measures, as do the districts of Colchester, Tendring and Uttlesford - but the rest of Essex has been placed into the new Tier 4.
The government has released new data breaking down the region into postcode areas known as MSOAs.
The data has shown the seven-day infection rate has reached more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 people in one MSOA in north Essex - Hedingham, Gosfield and Greenstead Green - while the rate for Suffolk remains comparatively low.
The highest infection rate in Suffolk was reported in the MSOA for Felixstowe East after 30 new infections took the rate to 358.0 cases per 100,000 people.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here