Warning to Xmas shoppers as London is now only region with rising cases
LONDON is the only region of the country where virus cases are definitely rising, data revealed yesterday ahead of a critical week for the capital.
The figures will fuel concerns that it is only a matter of time before the city is plunged into Tier Three in the first review of the system.
London has the highest infection rates of all regions – 191 per 100,000 people – and a decision on whether the capital will move into the strictest tier will be made on December 16.
It came as Downing Street urged Christmas shoppers to be vigilant this weekend and stick to social distancing to control the spread of the virus.
In positive news the Office for National Statistics figures showed that the overall number of people testing positive in England, based on random testing, has decreased compared to last week.
Rates are continuing to fall in the North West, North East and Yorkshire, where millions are living under the strictest Tier Three rules. This boosts hopes they could soon move into less draconian restrictions, allowing pubs and restaurants to re-open.
However the ONS said that over the most recent week, the percentage of people testing positive had increased in the capital. London mayor Sadiq Khan said
‘Not everyone is being careful ’
moving into Tier Three, which would come into effect from December 19, would be ‘catastrophic’ for the city. UK Hospitality has warned it could cost 150,000 jobs in pubs, restaurants and hotels.
Cases are rising in 31 of the 32 London boroughs, with parts of east London the worst affected.
Four boroughs – Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Waltham Forest and Redbridge – are now among the worst 20 affected places in the country.
And the second highest seven-day infection rate across the regions is the East Midlands at 163 per 100,000 people.
In contrast to September and October when northern England was suffering the most, it is now Kent, Essex and London where infections are rising.
Four of the top five worst-affected local authorities in England are in Kent, with Swale having the highest infection rate in the country, at 625 per 100,000.
The increasing number of patients in Kent hospitals with Covid-19 mean many non-urgent operations are being postponed at all four of Kent’s acute NHS trusts.
A spokesman for NHS Kent and Medway CCG said: ‘We have taken the decision to postpone some planned, nonurgent operations at hospitals across Kent and Medway due to the increase in Covid patients being treated.’ It came as Downing Street warned Christmas shoppers and Londoners at risk of moving into Tier Three to be vigilant this weekend.
Asked if Boris Johnson would urge those on the High Street to be careful this weekend, a No 10 spokesman said: ‘ Yes, absolutely. As we’ve been clear throughout the pandemic, we would urge the public to follow the guidelines in relationship to their activity to ensure that we are able to continue to drive down the transmission rate and protect communities.’
On Londoners, they added: ‘We would encourage people to remain vigilant and to adhere to local restrictions and to follow the social distancing rules that are in place.’
Yesterday the Scientific Advisory
Group for Emergencies (Sage) said it is not confident that R – the average number of people infected by those with the virus – is below 1 in all English regions, particularly in London and the South East.
The Metropolitan Police yesterday criticised ‘selfish’ people for holding parties and unlicensed music events as London faces rising coronavirus cases. Almost 40 attendees at a wedding in Barking, east London – an area with a high infection rate – were reported for fines earlier this week. The organiser now faces a potential £10,000 fine, the Met said.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: ‘It is really saddening that in the week a vaccine finally began its roll-out... that we are facing the possibility of tougher restrictions. I’m afraid the infection rates show not all of us are being careful enough.’
Yesterday a further 21,672 cases and 424 deaths were reported in the UK, up from 16,298 cases but down from 504 deaths last Friday. A further 1,622 patients were admitted to hospital.