The number of patients in hospitals in south and mid Essex with coronavirus has dropped by around 75 per cent in a week. 

NHS England data shows the number of people being treated in Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals for Covid-19 by 8am on April 19 was 41.

That was down from 162 on the same day the previous week.

The number of beds at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 has decreased by 87 per cent in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 310.

Across England there were 14,607 people in hospital with Covid as of April 19, with 296 of them in mechanical ventilation beds – though none were at Mid and South Essex Trust.

The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised nationally has increased by 12% in the last four weeks, while the number on mechanical ventilators has increased by 10%.

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The figures also show that 152 new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in Mid and South Essex Trust in the week to April 17.

This was down from 211 in the previous seven days.

South Essex has seen hundreds fewer Covid cases recorded in the past week, according to the latest figures. 

Southend saw the biggest week-on-week fall (42 per cent), with 423 cases recorded compared to 728 the seven days before. 

Basildon is the only other area recording 400 new infections per week, but also has seen a 35 per cent drop. 

Rochford also recorded a 35 per cent drop, while Canvey saw a 20 per cent fall.