The areas of south Essex most likely to be a coronavirus hotspot now that schools have reopened have been revealed. 

The Imperial College London has put together an interactive map which shows how Covid cases may rise or fall in the UK based on the latest data. 

It suggests Thurrock, Rochford and Brentwood are most at risk of being a Covid hotspot by March 20 - nearly two weeks after schools will have been open. 

Castle Point is the least likely area to see a surge in cases, according to the map. 

All areas in south Essex are given a 1 per cent chance of seeing more than 100 cases recorded per week by March 20. 

But those chances increase when it comes to areas recording 50 or more cases. 

So here is the probability of each area in south Essex being a Covid hotspot and recording more than 50 cases per week by March 20:

Thurrock - 23 per cent

Rochford - 15 per cent

Brentwood - 15 per cent

Basildon - 12 per cent

Southend - 5 per cent

Castle Point - 2 per cent

The Imperial College London's map also shows Covid cases have still been descreasing across south Essex ahead of schools reopening. 

Thurrock still has the highest rate of infection in the region, with 65 cases recorded per 100,000 people. 

Castle Point meanwhile as the lowest with 39. 

Relieved council and public health bosses have welcomed the latest figures, but insist now is not the time to relax as the battle to contain Covid-19 goes on.

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As children returned to classrooms today, council bosses are urging people to continue to stay alert and maintain testing to “maintain these gains”.

Independent councillor Trevor Harp, Southend cabinet member for health and adult social care said: “It’s all about maintaining these gains that we have made.

“If we maintain these gains it makes it far easier to stick to the roadmap as we go forward.

“I would urge everyone not to relax at this stage. I would encourage people to carry on getting tested now we have got at this level as any cases we can identify and isolate will be a great benefit in reducing the spread.”