THE infection rate in the Braintree district continues to climb after more than 1,500 new cases were recorded in the past week.

The rate now stands at 1,028.8 cases per 100,000 people - the first time it has hit and gone above 1,000 since the pandemic began.

The total number of positive tests carried out in the district in the last seven days is 1,570.

Silver End and Stisted is now the worst affected area, with 145 cases confirmed in the seven days ending December 30.

It means the infection rate in that part of the district is 1,401.4.

In total, there are seven areas which recorded 100 or more cases in the week ending December 30.

They were:

  • Silver and Stisted - 145
  • Braintree South - 140
  • Bocking Churchstreet and Blackwater - 124
  • Great Notley and Black Notley - 124
  • Central Braintree - 122
  • Halstead East and Colnes - 106
  • Braintree West and Rayne - 100

Both Witham Town (97) and Halstead Central and West (91) are close to hitting the three figure mark in that period.

Despite the continued rise in the infection rate, Braintree Council leader Graham Butland says the rate of growth is reducing.

He is hopeful the Christmas period and Tier 4 rules - enforced in mid December- will soon start to take effect and bring the infection rate down.

He said: “The increase in the rate of infection is slowing.

"But it’s still going up, so clearly we all need to be very careful and make sure we stick to the rules.

“I would hope we will start to see the impact the Christmas break has had on infections some time next week.

“I think closing schools will help and was eminently sensible.

"We know the schools in Braintree, Halstead and Sible Hedingham were instrumental in increasing the rates from almost nothing to sky-high.

“Of course I have concerns about those children who can’t access learning from home and I want to see schools closed for the shortest time possible.

"But with the rates as they are, it’s the right thing to do.”