Covid cases treble in three weeks as mutant strain runs wild across London

The capital was one of the first areas in England to go into tier four.

London’s rate of new Covid cases has trebled in just two weeks, Public Health England has said today.

The capital had 602.2 cases of Covid per 100,000 people in the seven days to December 20, up from 200.3 infections in the seven days to December 6.

Rates increased across all regions over the same period, with eastern England recording the second highest rate after London, with 440.7 cases per 100,000 people. South-east England had 380.6 infections per 100,000 people and the West Midlands had 218.8.

Rates across England have also risen in all age groups, Public Health England revealed. The biggest rise has been among 20 to 29-year-olds, where the rate stood at 433.8 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to December 20, up from 267.2 the week before.

For 30 to 39-year-olds, the rate rose from 288.0 to 434.6, and is now the highest rate among all age groups.

Rates also rose from 288.7 to 412.2 among 40 to 49-year-olds, and from 220.8 to 325.0 among 50 to 59-year-olds.

London is currently in tier four, after Boris Johnson confirmed that a new strain of the virus is up to 70% more contagious. The new restrictions mean people can’t mix with other households outside their socal bubbles across any setting, unless they meet up with one person, outdoors, alone.

Official figures earlier today revealed that there had been nearly 60,000 confirmed cases of Covid in London in the week ending December 20. More than 1,100 patients were also admitted to London hospitals with Covid in just three days to December 19.

Some hospitals, including St George’s in Tooting, the Royal Free in Camden, and Barking, Havering and Redbridge trust have already started postponing surgeries due to the rise in people being admitted.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.