The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Essex increased by 409 over the last 24 hours, official figures show. A further 32 were recorded in Southend.

Public Health England figures show that 22,366 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Friday (December 4) in Essex, up from 21,957 the same time on Thursday.

The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Southend also rose by 32 over the last 24 hours, official figures show.

The official figures show that 2,662 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Friday (December 4) in Southend, up from 2,630 the same time on Thursday.

The rate of infection in Southend now stands at 1,454 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 2,580.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

The rate of infection in Essex now stands at 1,502 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 2,580.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 16,298 over the period, to 1,690,432.

Essex's cases were among the 90,789 recorded across the East of England, a figure which rose by 1,290 over the period.

Cumulative case counts include patients who are currently unwell, have recovered and those that have died.