The number of new Covid cases in London has begun to fall, raising hopes that the second peak may be starting to end.
Government figures show the seven-day rate had fallen to 197.2 per 100,000 residents by last night, down from a record high of 198.9 on Saturday and 198.3 on Friday.
This appears to be in line with hopes that the capital would see a “super Saturday” effect at the weekend as the second lockdown, which began on November 5, finally started to have an impact.
Health chiefs will be watching the results for the rest of the week, which will determine whether the capital can escape the most severe restrictions when the country moves back into a tier system on December 3.
The latest figures reveal a wide disparity between boroughs, with Havering’s weekly rate of 398 cases per 100,000 being more than three times higher than in Southwark (116) and Richmond (117).
Mayor Sadiq Khan today said he still wanted the Government to adopt a “one London” approach when the capital’s tier rating is determined.
Sir Bob Neill, MP for Bromley, called for restrictions depending upon infection rates.
The second wave has not resulted in an increase of “excess deaths” in London.
Office for National Statistics data show that since the start of September there were 8,834 deaths from all causes, compared with the average for that time of year of 9,010.
