NEW figures have revealed the tragic Covid-19 "hotspots" across south Essex. 

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Statistics published by the Office for National Statistics take into account the precise areas of districts and boroughs which have been hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak.

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The figures, released today, show Chalkwell has seen more deaths linked to the coronavirus than anywhere else in Southend.

Between March and May, 21 people in Chalkwell died having tested positive for the virus – the most in Southend's 17 areas.

At the other end of the spectrum, there were three areas where four deaths were recorded over the period.

The ONS data includes deaths for which coronavirus was the underlying cause, or was mentioned on the death certificate as a contributory factor.

In May, a total of 46 deaths in Southend were linked to Covid-19, including those registered up to June 6 – equivalent to 23.3 per 100,000 of the population.

It means Southend's death rate ranked 11th of 45 lower-tier council areas in the East of England.

The rate represents a significant drop from April, when it stood at 59.0.

In Basildon, Laindon West and Southfields has seen more deaths linked to the coronavirus than anywhere else in the borough. 

Between March and May, 18 people in the area of Laindon West and Southfields died with the virus – the most in Basildon's 22 areas.

At the other end of the spectrum, only two were recorded in Wickford Shotgate over the period.

In May, 41 deaths in Basildon were linked to Covid-19, including those registered up to June 6 – equivalent to 24.3 per 100,000 of the population.

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It means Basildon's death rate ranked eighth of 45 lower-tier council areas in the East of England.

The rate represented a big drop from April, when it stood at 75.0.

In Castle Point, the figures show the worst-affected areas were Benfleet North, Thundersley Glen, and Canvey Island Newlands – where nine people in each area having tested positive for the virus. 

At the other end of the spectrum, there were two areas where one was recorded over the period.

Last month May, 18 deaths in Castle Point were linked to Covid-19, including those registered up to June 6.

This was equivalent to 15.8 per 100,000 of the population, although the ONS said the rate had "low reliability" due to insufficient data.

It means Castle Point's death rate ranked 30th of 45 lower-tier council areas in the East of England.

The rate represented a big drop from April, when it stood at 41.1.

The report shows the wide disparity in the pandemic’s impact on different communities.

In ​England, the rate of deaths related to Covid-19 in the most deprived areas was 128.3 per 100,000, more than double that in the most affluent parts of the nation.

This reflected the trend across England as a whole, where the average rate more than halved over the two months, to 20.0 in 100,000.

Anti-poverty charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the pandemic has laid bare the “stark” health inequalities between neighbourhoods.

Dave Innes, head of economics at the foundation, said: “It is completely unacceptable that someone’s life chances are so profoundly affected by where they live.

“[The] statistics must act as a wake-up call – as a society with a strong sense of decency and compassion we can and must do better.”

He added it is vital that the Government takes “bold steps” to protect people from being pulled further into poverty as the lockdown is lifted.