More than a million Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in London, official figures reveal on Friday as ministers urge more people to get vaccinated against the virus.
They show there have been 1,000,791 confirmed infections in the capital since February 11 last year, the date of the first published such case.
Health chiefs and scientists expect cases to rise again in coming weeks after the return to school and workplaces following the end of the summer holidays.
But a “wall of vaccination” will mean that the hospitalisation and death rates from the virus will be far lower than in previous waves.
London, though, has the lowest vaccination rate of all regions, leaving hundreds of thousands of people more at risk from the virus.
Just 67 per cent of adults in the capital had had their first jab by September 1, and 59.1 per cent a second innoculation as well.
There were 3,377 new Covid cases announced for the city on Thursday.
The number of Covid-19 patients in the capital’s hospitals has risen in recent days to more than 1,200, with 226 so ill that they were on ventilators, as of Thursday.
Public health chiefs and ministers are urging more people to get vaccinated ahead of the expected fourth wave this autumn.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted: “More than half of people aged 16-17 have now been vaccinated with one dose – fantastic news!
“Thanks to everyone who has done their bit to help us live safely with this virus.
“Please get your jabs as soon as you can.”
