Have local lockdowns failed to curb coronavirus? Covid-19 infections continue to soar in the North of England… despite new restrictions imposed upon millions of residents
- The North West and North East are still struggling with large outbreaks
- London cases have risen over past fortnight which could lead to local lockdown
- Infection rate in London boroughs is lower than worst-hit areas of North West
Coronavirus infections continue to soar in the North of England despite draconian restrictions imposed upon millions of residents.
Swathes of the North West and North East are struggling with large outbreaks while the virus remains under control in most of the South.
However, cases have also risen sharply in London over the past fortnight, which could lead to 9million people in the capital being placed under a local lockdown.
Coronavirus infections continue to soar in the North of England despite draconian restrictions imposed upon millions of residents
But the infection rate in London boroughs is still significantly lower than the worst-hit areas of the North West, where there are currently 439 Covid-19 patients in hospital – up from 174 a fortnight ago.
Bolton, which has the highest current infection rate in England, has had 213 new cases per 100,000 people in the past week.
Other hotspots include Liverpool, where the rate is 170, and Manchester, where it is 153.
Cities in the North East are also badly affected.
Newcastle has a seven-day case average of 159 per 100,000, while the rate is 132 in Sunderland and 52 in Middlesbrough.
Areas of the Midlands, including Leicester, which was the UK’s first city to be put in a local lockdown, continue to struggle with outbreaks.
But there is no evidence of a second wave of the virus in most of the South, although London is on the brink of a lockdown. There are currently 206 virus patients in London hospitals.
Swathes of the North West and North East are struggling with large outbreaks. The map shows each area’s probability of becoming a hotspot by October 3
However, in April almost 5,000 virus patients were in hospital in the capital.
Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan and Boris Johnson discussed the recent worsening situation in the capital earlier this week and health officials are said to favour tougher restrictions.
A spokesman for Mr Khan said: ‘They discussed the rapidly-worsening situation in London, including increasing intensive care unit admission rates and the need to go further now to prevent a disastrous full lockdown in future – including mandatory face coverings for hospitality workers and more widespread wearing of face coverings.’
Of the 32 boroughs in London, only one – Redbridge – has an infection rate over 50 per 100,000.
In several parts of the capital, the rates are below 20 per 100,000, but health officials are concerned by a gradual upturn in hospital admissions.
No areas of London are currently included in Public Health England’s local authority ‘watchlist’.
A map showing the rate of infection per 100,000 people across London’s 32 boroughs
Virus deaths in the capital remain low, with 21 in hospitals over the past fortnight. Professor Kevin Fenton, of Public Health England in London, said: ‘We are seeing a rising tide of coronavirus cases in London across a broad range of ages.
‘This is no longer limited to young people in their 20s.
‘Whilst the number of cases by borough varies, the general trend across the city is one of steadily increasing transmission and if that continues then the situation may escalate’.
Local lockdown restrictions currently cover 13million people in the UK.
The Government is considering using a traffic light system that will send automatic alerts to people’s mobile phones in order to trigger local lockdowns.
Under the system, local infection rates will be used to split parts of the country into one of three categories – red, amber or green – that will determine the restrictions in place.
This system will work in tandem with the NHS test and trace app, which includes a feature where users can scan a barcode to check in and out of bars and restaurants.