The latest rates of Covid infection in Suffolk and north Essex have been revealed - with 20 postcode areas recording three or more cases in the most recent data.

Figures published by Public Health England on Saturday reveal 126 neighbourhoods in the region recorded less than three infections in the week to June 7.

However, across Suffolk and north Essex overall, cases were going in the wrong direction - with an increase of 44 infections in the week to June 8, bringing the total to 92.

That put the rolling case rate at 12.1 per 100,000 people, which is below the average for England.

The data divides both counties into postcode areas of approximately 8,200 people called MSOAs.

Explore our map below to find infection rates where you live.

There are 146 neighbourhoods in total and 20 of those reported more than three cases, with the highest number in Halstead Central and West, which recorded relatively few infections with six in the week to June 7.

All 16 neighbourhoods in Ipswich reported next to no cases, with every single one logging less than three infections during that week.

However, rises were reported at district level, with 18 additional cases in East Suffolk compared with the previous week and 42 more infections detected in Colchester.

It comes as the vaccine programme was stepped up and offered to under-30s in a bid to inoculate younger people and fight back against the Delta variant, which was on Friday revealed to be 60% more transmissible.

Almost 60% of people aged 16 and over in Suffolk and north-east Essex are now fully vaccinated against Covid, NHS data revealed on Thursday.

Ipswich Star: East Suffolk stands out for having the fourth highest percentage of people to have had their first coronavirus vaccine in the countryEast Suffolk stands out for having the fourth highest percentage of people to have had their first coronavirus vaccine in the country (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Felixstowe recorded the third-highest rate in the country for jabs with 89.3% of people aged 16-plus having had their first, while 74.8% of people have received both - the fifth-highest rate in England.

But the Public Health England data shows the battle is not over yet.

As for the 20 areas still logging Covid cases, inner parts of Colchester and Clacton continue to be impacted by infections, albeit in small numbers.

Despite optimism over the vaccination programme and falling infections in some postcode areas, there are fresh concerns around the Delta variant which originated in India.

On Monday, the Government is set to announce its decision on whether to lift the remaining lockdown restrictions.

But reports suggest Freedom Day originally set for June 21 could be pushed back a further four weeks, until July 19.

Boris Johnson has indicated that he is set to announce a delay for lifting restrictions, with the prime minister on Saturday calling the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus a matter of “serious, serious concern”.

It will be a bitter blow for many businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, which had been pinning their hopes on a full summer reopening.

Ipswich Star: Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a tough decision on re-openingPrime Minister Boris Johnson faces a tough decision on re-opening (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Mr Johnson is also likely to face opposition from some of his own MPs who have been chafing for months over the restrictions and will be furious at any further delay.

However, a poll by Opinium found significant public support for a postponement, with 54% in favour and 37% against.

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