There are a now 34 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Essex, according to latest government figures.

Yesterday, (Wednesday, March 18,) it was revealed that 2,626 people in the UK have tested positive for COVID-19 and 103 deaths.

There are now 14 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Waltham Forest and seven in Redbridge, Public Health England confirmed, almost doubling in 24 hours.

In London, which is said to be two-to-three weeks ahead of the rest of the country, there are 952 confirmed cases.

For the latest coronavirus updates for east London and Essex, visit our live blog here

Meanwhile, the government has promised clarify the “key workers” whose children can still go to school, following the announcement last night schools would closed on Friday.

The list will be released later, education secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: “ I think it's best to assume that children will be out of school for quite a considerable time.

"We'll obviously work to bring schools back and children into schools at the earliest possible moment.

"But only when it is clear that schools returning is not going to have any impact in terms of the spread of the pandemic."

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