London coronavirus cases: more than 6,200 new Covid infections in a week … but capital ‘can avoid a new lockdown’

Control of Covid-19 in London is growing with more than 6,200 new cases in a week.

Official figures showed today that there were 6,273 confirmed cases in the seven days to October 4, up from 3,965 the week before.

Redbridge, in east London, and Richmond, in southwest London, have now passed the threshold of 100 new cases per 100,000 in one week, according to an updated analysis of the figures.

If the infection rate rises above the threshold, new measures could be imposed to combat Covid, such as a ban on mixing in homes, according to Boris Johnson’s (right) three-tier plans, according to reports.

The situation in London is more complex because the restrictions are likely to apply to the entire city. The decision to tighten them could possibly come within the next two weeks.

Part of the increase in cases in the capital is due to more evidence. Peter John, Chairman of the London Councils, said: “London need not inevitably follow northwest and northeast in terms of infection rates and tighter restrictions. But we can only avoid that if everyone follows the rules. If we do that, London has a great chance of getting out of this terrible pandemic much sooner than we think. “

The epidemic is spiraling particularly in cities in the North and Midlands, including Manchester, Liverpool and Nottingham, at a significantly faster rate than London.

Infection rates in London’s worst-hit boroughs are less than a fifth of those in the northern hotspots.

There are 359 Covid patients in the capital’s hospital, 59 of whom are connected to ventilators. For the smaller Northwest region, the numbers are 1,030 for hospitals and 115 for ventilators. In the Northeast and Yorkshire region, there are 772 in hospitals and 94 in ventilators.

However, Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, President of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said: “The numbers on the number of cases in London are worrying. If the trend continues, it is only a few weeks before it is the same as we are currently seeing in the North. That would be hugely detrimental to the UK as a whole given that it is an economic powerhouse. “

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “With more and more restrictions likely, it is even more urgent for the government to present a new package of emergency financial support for businesses and employees.

“Many of our hotel establishments and other businesses simply cannot survive further restrictions without immediate financial assistance.”

As the second wave Covid-19 crisis grows:

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick warned that the virus was spreading “very fast” in northern cities and the Midlands, setting the nation for grimmer news as more data emerges on the full scale of the epidemic, before new restrictions may be announced on Monday.

He said the government had no plans “today” to introduce regulations for people to wear masks at work, but said it would be considered.

Nottingham city council leader David Mellen urged people facing pub closures since Monday not to disobey Covid rules this weekend.

Jeremy Hunt, chairman of the Commons health committee, noted that for every Covid-related death, one person had also died due to “disruption of NHS services.”

Three municipalities registered more than 300 cases in the seven-day period, according to figures compiled by the PA news agency, which are more up-to-date and superior to those used by health authorities. They were Ealing with 320, Redbridge 317 and Barnet 314.

Sixteen areas have more than 200 cases, including Brent, Enfield, Hackney (where the majority of cases were recorded), and the City of London, Haringey, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Lambeth, Newham, Richmond, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Croydon.

Significant increases have been seen in Croydon, up to 241 cases compared to 124 in the previous week, Kingston increasing from 59 to 121, Camden from 73 to 138, Bromley from 90 to 179, Lewisham from 104 to 185, Wandsworth from 125 at 217, Westminster from 76 to 175, Lambeth from 132 to 232, Kensington and Chelsea from 37 to 112 and Harrow from 105 to 208.

London health experts and district leaders were due to be updated this afternoon on the new infection figures.

The capital is said to have “turned testing around” following the restoration of diverted tests to other parts of the country and the return of schools.