POTENTIAL coronavirus hotspots in south Essex can now be identified using a new online tool - with parts of Southend and Basildon deemed "at risk".

The Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science dashboard is designed to add to the government's test and trace programme by highlighting which regions and local areas are most likely to suffer disproportionate infections and hospital demand if an outbreak occurs.

In Essex the risk of hospitalisations per 1,000 people is just 8.1 - in line with the average across the UK and broadly in line with neighbouring counties.

A number of areas in the south of the county are in the red though, indicating a risk of more than nine people per 1,000 needing care if there was an infection spike.

Several parts of Southend, including Westcliff and Thorpe Bay, are in the red meaning the risk is higher, but central Southend and other areas are deemed to be the least at risk. 


The risk level in Basildon is also deemed to be low, but is in the red for parts of Lee Chapel and Langdon Hills. 

In Basildon the rate varies from 6.6 people per 1,000 at risk of needing care in central areas, but 9.7 per 1,000 on the outskirts of the town.


Rochford is in the red, with 9.6 people per 1,000 needing care if a spike took place, as well as Castle Point which is sitting as high as 10.5 per 1,000 people in some areas.

It combines data about groups known to be especially vulnerable to Covid-19, using factors such as age, social deprivation, population density, ethnicity and hospital capacity.

Given the constantly evolving situation, it also allows users to adjust for changing infection rates and hospital resource levels.

The dashboard features a map down to a ward level showing the risk of hospitalisation per 1,000 people based on age and hospital capacity.