COVID case rates have dropped dramatically across the Colchester borough over the past week.

The largest week on week change was seen in Lexden where the number of cases dropped by 48.5 per cent in the space of seven days.

Lexden's infection rate is also one of the lowest in the borough, with 299.9 cases per 100,000 people in the week to January 21.

The case rate in West Bergholt and Wormingford has also dropped dramatically, by 46.9 per cent.

The area now has the lowest infection rate in the borough, of 261.1 cases per 100,000 people.

Rates continue to fall in most parts of Colchester, however, two areas have seen a week on week increase in cases.

Both Horkesley Heath, Langham and Dedham and Old Heath and Rowhedge have seen increases, of 8.3 per cent and 7.4 per cent respectively.

Here are the latest rates for 100,000 people and the weekly percentage change for each ward in Colchester:

  • Mile End & Braiswick - 718.8 (-7.8 per cent)
  • Monkwick - 667.6 (-20.7 per cent)
  • Old Heath and Rowhedge - 631.2 (up 7.4 per cent)
  • Highwoods - 624.2 (-8.8 per cent)
  • Parson's Heath - 573.8 (-25.2 per cent)
  • Shrub End - 535.2 (-10.5 per cent)
  • New Town and Hythe - 532.1 (-23.5 per cent)
  • Central Colchester - 508.2 (-15.7 per cent)
  • Stanway - 470.7 (-33.8 per cent)
  • Abbey Field - 457.5 (-36.8 per cent)
  • Prettygate and Westlands - 451.2 (-35.3 per cent)
  • Tiptree - 434.4 (-5.7 per cent)
  • Greenstead - 419.4 (-20.8 per cent)
  • West Mersea - 370.6 (-20.6 per cent)
  • Marks Tey and Wakes Colne - 357.6 (-29.5 per cent)
  • Horkesley Heath, Langham and Dedham - 363.7 (up 8.3 per cent)
  • Lexden - 299.9 (-48.5 per cent)
  • Wivenhoe and University - 283.1 (-8.1 per cent)
  • Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton and Mersea East - 274.1 (-42.5 per cent)
  • West Bergholt and Wormingford - 261.1 (-46.9 per cent)

Colchester's average coronavirus infection rate also continues to fall.

It is now 444.8 cases per 100,000 people, with 866 cases confirmed in the seven days to January 22.

This is down from 598.9 cases per 100,000 people a week earlier.

Read more:

Tendring no longer has the highest infection rate in Essex.

The coastal district's rate is 594.3 cases per 100,000 people, down from 888.4 a week earlier.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 26, or 8 per cent, have seen a rise in case rates, 289, 92 per cent, have seen a fall and one is unchanged.