ALMOST 93 per cent of those aged over 70 in north Essex have now received a Covid vaccine, the latest figures show.

According to NHS England data, 53,434 people aged 70 and above in north Essex have now had their first coronavirus jab.

The estimated population of people 70 and older in the area is 57,714, meaning 92.6 per cent of these people have now had their first jab.

Another 36,805 people under the age of 70 have also received a coronavirus vaccine, the figures show.

This is roughly 16 per cent of the population aged between 16 and 70.

A total of 2,303 people have received their second dose of the vaccine in north Essex meaning the total number of jabs distributed is 92,542.

The figures do not include the NHS and care workers who have been vaccinated in the area.

A total of 13,331,890 jabs have been distributed across England between December 8 and February 14.

More than 1.6 million of these were given out in the east of England.

Colchester’s coronavirus infection rate has continued to fall.

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Figures from the seven days to February 13 show the borough’s average infection rate was 84.2 cases per 100,000 people.

This is because there were 164 cases in this seven day period.

Tendring’s infection rate is still the highest in Essex, but is also falling.

It is now 170.6 cases per 100,000 people, down from 238.8 cases per 100,000 people a week earlier.

Six more deaths of patients who tested positive for Covid were announced at the trust which runs Colchester Hospital yesterday.

There have now been a total of 1,139 Covid deaths at the East Suffolk and North Essex Trust.

In the seven days to February 11, Essex County Council said the county’s average infection rate was 112.7 cases per 100,000 people.

Despite rates falling in all areas, health boss John Spence warned rates in the county are still high.

He said: “The worst thing we could do now is assume the pandemic is over and undermine all of the hard work it’s taken to get us to this point.

“We recognise the impact that the pandemic has affected people in lots of different ways and that people are eager to get back to some kind of normality.

“The quickest way we will get there is by continuing to follow the guidance.

“I would also urge individuals who are not showing Covid-19 symptoms – especially those who are unable to work from home - to book a rapid test as soon as possible to prevent anyone from unknowingly spreading the virus.

“This is now easier than ever thanks to a new walk-in option at our rapid test centres.”