THE number of coronavirus cases confirmed in Essex has reached 7,168.

Of the total, 5,836 cases were recorded in the Essex County Council authority area, 727 in Southend and 605 in Thurrock.

In the UK 320,286 people have now tested positive, up 1,089 from yesterday.

Another 12 people have died after testing positive, with 41,381 people having died within 28 days of contracting the virus.

To view the figures, click here.