CORONAVIRUS testing has been ramped up across Braintree following a spike in the number of daily cases.

A total of 27 positive tests were performed in the district between Wednesday and Thursday last week.

The issue has been highlighted by the University of East Anglia’s Alastair Grant in a report published online earlier this week.

He states the number of cases reported in Braintree on July 8 and 9 is “unusually” high compared to recent trends in the district.

It means the infection rate in the region has jumped up to 300 cases per 100,000 people.

The rate is still comparatively low compared to other parts of the UK but is the highest it has been in Braintree since the pandemic began.

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A spokesman for Essex County Council, which is managing the region’s test and trace system, said: “There have been a number of discrete incidents within the Braintree district over recent days which have led to some wider testing.

“This has been in confined situations and the majority of positive cases identified have been symptom free and remain well.

“We are working closely with Public Health England and continue to monitor the situation closely.”

The council has since confirmed the majority of new cases came as a result of an outbreak of coronavirus in a care home.

The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Braintree district since the pandemic began in March stands at 457.