Coronavirus: London Placed On Covid-19 Watch List As Cases Rise

London has been added to the government’s Covid-19 watch list following a spike in cases in the city, authorities said.

All districts have been classified as areas of concern, but no additional restrictions have been announced.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the city was at “a worrying tipping point” with an increase in hospital admissions.

The watch list, which is published weekly, classifies municipalities that see a higher infection rate as “areas of concern”, “areas of greatest support” or “areas of intervention.”

Generally, stricter restrictions are introduced for the areas of the third category.

Earlier on Friday, London Councils, the group representing the city’s 33 local authorities, announced that the city would join the list, saying it was a “reminder” for residents to follow the new rules announced this week. week.

The organization called for a sustained push for Covid-19 testing in the capital so that infections can be monitored.

Khan said testing capacity had been “diverted” from the capital to other national hotspots, causing the number of tests in the city to drop by 43%.

“The lack of testability is totally unacceptable,” he said.

“It is vital that testing capacity is immediately increased in London and focused on the areas where it is most needed. Any delay will mean disappointing the city and cost lives.”

The most recent daily figures showed 584 cases of coronavirus were reported in London. In the week through Sept. 21, Redbridge had the highest infection rate per 100,000 residents compared to other districts, at 55.4.