CORONAVIRUS cases have risen dramatically in two areas in Halstead in the past week, the latest figures show.

An interactive map by the Government displays colour-coded areas in each authority's neighbourhood wards to highlight the severity of its current Covid infection rate.

The colours range from white, yellow and green through to blue, dark purple and black.

The 'blackspots' on the map indicate areas where case rates per 100,000 people are higher than 800.

Both Halstead Central & West and Halstead East & Colnes have seen a dramatic rise in Covid cases, according to the map.

>>> Halstead MP to miss parliament questions after testing positive for Covid-19

Halstead Central & West

The interactive map of cases shows a 'blackspot' in Halstead Central and West.

This area has seen an increase of Covid cases by a whopping 94.6 per cent in the seven days to November 25, bringing the total to 72.

The area currently has a case rate of 845 per 100,000 people.

Halstead Gazette: The government's interactive map shows two Covid 'blackspots' in HalsteadThe government's interactive map shows two Covid 'blackspots' in Halstead

Halstead East & Colnes

There is another 'blackspot' in Halstead East and Colnes.

Cases in the area have risen in these past seven days to a total of 73.

This is up by 69.8 per cent.

The case rate is now at 815.5 per 100,000 people.

>>> People from Essex fined for not wearing face masks

In the Braintree district, the number of coronavirus cases increased by 335 over the weekend.

The rate of infection in the district now stands at 14,353 cases per 100,000 people, lower than the England average of 15,278.