Areas worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic have been revealed in the first annual death toll. 

Data published by the Office for National Statistics shows in the 12 months from March last year, 381 people in Maldon died due to Covid – a rate of 236 per 100,000 people.

The peak months for deaths was January when 156 were recorded. 

The figures also show which of Braintree's 18 neighbourhoods saw the most and fewest deaths of residents over the 12-month period.

Factors behind a larger number can include the number of care homes in a particular area.

Neighbourhoods with the highest number of deaths:

1) Halstead East and Colnes – 51 deaths due to Covid-19

2) Bocking Churchstreet and Blackwater – 38

3) Witham South, Hatfield Peverel and White Notley – 32

Neighbourhoods with the fewest number of deaths:

1) Bures Hamlet, Maplestead and Belchamp – 5

2) Panfield, Finchingfield and Bardfield – 6

3) Steeple Bumpstead and Great Yeldham –8

Across the East of England, a total of 12,918 people lost their lives to the virus.

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Charity Marie Curie is hosting a National Day of Reflection today (March 23) to mourn the loss of those who died of Covid during the pandemic.

A spokesman said: “There are still tough times ahead, as the death toll continues to rise.

“This annual day will give us all time to pause and think about this unprecedented loss we're facing, and support each other through grief in the years to come.”

Tonight Braintree Town Hall will be lit up in yellow to remember those lives lost.