A south Essex borough was the only place in England to record ZERO new cases of Covid-19 last week. 

The latest figures released by the Government on Monday showed there were no new infections reported in Castle Point in the seven days ending May 6. 

All other districts and boroughs across the country recorded at least two or more Covid cases in that timeframe. 

Castle Point had previously recorded nine new infections in the week before on April 29. 

All other districts and boroughs in south Essex are now recording infetion rates below 10 cases per 100,000 people. 

They were:

Thurrock 9.8 - 17 new cases in week ending May 6

Southend 8.7 - 16 new cases in week ending May 6

Rochford 8 - 8 new cases in week ending May 6

Basildon 7.5 - 14 new cases in week ending May 6

It comes as the number of Covid patients in mid and south Essex hospitals has hit its lowest point since October 1. 

As of May 4, there were only 14 people being treated for coronavirus in Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals. 

There were no Covid patients on ventilators as of that date. 

Deaths involving Covid-19 in England and Wales have also fallen to their lowest level since mid-September, new figures show.

Read more:

A total of 205 deaths registered in the week ending April 30 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) – the lowest number since the week ending September 18.

The figure is also down 21% on the previous week.

The total number of deaths registered in England and Wales was below the five-year average for the eighth consecutive week, the ONS said.

Some 9,692 deaths were registered in the week to April 30, 7.3% below the average for the corresponding period in 2015-19.

Before the eight most recent weeks, the last time deaths were below average was in the week to September 4 2020.