The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Essex have increased by 68 over the past 24 hours, official figures show.

Public Health England figures show that 6,568 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday in Essex, up from 6,512 the same time on Monday.

There have now been a recorded 813 cases of the virus in Colchester and 690 in Tendring.

The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Southend increased by six over the last 24 hours, official figures show.

Public Health England figures show that 841 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday in Southend, up from 835 the same time on Monday.

The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Thurrock increased by six over the last 24 hours, official figures show.

Public Health England figures show that 680 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday in Thurrock, up from 674 the same time on Monday.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

The rate of infection in Essex now stands at 441 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 618.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 4,926 over the period, to 403,551.

​Essex's cases were among the 29,422 recorded across the East of England, a figure which rose by 189 over the period.

Cumulative case counts include patients who are currently unwell, have recovered and those that have died.