NEARLY 1,200 positive cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed in Essex.

Public Health England's latest figures revealed there are now 938 confirmed cases in the Essex County Council area.

There are a further 136 cases in Southend and 125 in Thurrock.

The statistics only take into account patients who have died in hospital having tested positive for Covid-19. They do not include people who have died at home or in care homes. 

The number of cases is a rise of 103 - bringing the number of cases in Essex to 1,199.

Across the UK there have been a total of 3,634 cases recorded and 786 deaths - a record high.

The Government's website said: "As of 9am on 7 April, 266,694 tests have concluded across the UK, with 14,006 tests carried out on 6 April."

Some individuals are tested more than once for clinical reasons.

Figures released yesterday showed the number of coronavirus-related deaths in south Essex had risen by 21 since the last figures were last released. 

New statistics from NHS England yesterday afternoon showed 61 people have now died at Basildon Hospital while 32 patients have died at Southend Hospital. 

At last count, Basildon has recorded 55 while Southend had recorded 17. 

That means six new deaths have been recorded at Basildon Hospital and 15 at Southend Hospital. 

Elsewhere in Essex, there are now 69 recorded deaths at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, in Harlow, 41 in Mid-Essex - Broomfield Hospital - and 51 at the trust which runs Colchester Hospital.