Over 700 New Covid Cases in the SW15 Area in Latest Week | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Local infections Infections continuing to rise through the New Year
The number of Covid-19 infections around the Putney and Roehampton areas has continued to rise according to the latest official figures. There have been over 700 new positive tests in the vicinity in the week to 2 January with the area around West Hill continuing to be the worst affected. There the rate of infection per 100,000 has topped 1,000. Roehampton is the next most badly hit area with the latest infection rates in the 800s. After rising exponentially for several weeks in December, the rate of increase of the disease seems to have mitigated with some parts of Putney actually seeing falls in the number of cases on a week on week basis. However, the fastest rate of growth was in the Putney Embankment and Lower Common area which had previously been relatively mildly impacted. Wandsworth borough remains at the lower end of the scale for infection rates in London at 785 per 100,000 in the week to 2 January. This is less than half of the highest rate which is being suffered in Barking and Dagenham. Despite being less severely hit than other parts of London, there is still significant pressure on local health services and St. George’s Hospital has cancelled all non-urgent surgery and routine out-patients appointments. For the purpose of gathering this data the Office of National Statistics divides the country up into Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs).
Source: Office of National Statistics
Professor Kevin Fenton, London Regional Director for Public Health England said, “London’s COVID-19 infection rates are the highest we’ve seen anywhere in the country at any point during the pandemic. The new variant of the virus which transmits more rapidly is widespread and dominant across London, so the ask is simple – it is critical we must all stay at home. “This has never been more important whilst the NHS continues to deliver the vaccine to those who need it most, and London’s hospitals care for hundreds of new seriously unwell COVID-19 patients each day. “If you need to leave home for an essential reason such as food shopping, attending medical appointments including getting a COVID-19 test or vaccine, act like you’ve got it so you don’t accidentally spread it - wear your mask, wash your hands and keep your distance from others. “The best thing all Londoners can do is stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.” Tier four restrictions now apply to the area. These are similar to those imposed during the first national lockdown with people being told to stay at home - although travel for work is still permitted. Social mixing is restricted to meeting one other person from outside your household in an open public space. All non-essential retail will have to close, along with hairdressers, nail bars and indoor entertainment venues. Support bubbles remain unaffected, as do the exemptions for separated parents and their children.
January 8, 2021
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