Southwark had the lowest Covid-19 rates of any south-east London borough last week.
NHS data shows that 581 people in Southwark tested positive for the virus from October 19-25. Lambeth had 628 cases over the same period, while Lewisham had 661. Bexley and Bromley had 817 and 1,005 cases respectively.
But Southwark’s cases rose by the most over the week, at 25.5 per cent. Lambeth’s cases fell by nearly 6 per cent. In Lewisham, cases went up by 11.5 per cent. Greenwich’s cases rose by 2.6 per cent, while Bexley was up by nearly 20 per cent and Bromley’s cases rose by more than 10 per cent.
Southwark and Lambeth both recorded only one Covid-19 death over the week from October 20-26, down from three the previous week. Two people died in each of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley, the same as the previous week. In Bromley, two people died, the same as the week before.
It comes as cases rise more broadly across London and the UK. The capital had more than 25,600 cases from October 14-21, giving a rate per 100,000 of about 285 – significantly above Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham’s rates for the same period.
More than 36,500 people tested positive across the UK on Wednesday (October 25). Some 38 people died within 28 days of a positive test.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned last week that daily Covid-19 cases could hit 100,000.
He told a Downing Street press conference. “We must all remember that this virus will be with us for the long term, and that it remains a threat. A threat to our loved ones and a threat to the progress that we’ve made in getting our nation closer to normal life.”
Covid-19 deaths in Southwark since the start of the pandemic are also the lowest out of any south-east London borough, at 370, a rate of nearly 116 per 100,000. Bexley has the highest rate, with 234 per 100,000.
But Southwark’s vaccine take-up is also among the lowest out of the south-east London area, Just 56.4 per cent of people over the age of twelve have had a second dose, compared to 71 per cent and 72.4 per cent in Bexley and Bromley. Some 58.7 per cent of people across London have had a second dose.
Booster jabs are available for people over 50, health and care workers, and people with serious health conditions, among others. Nearly 687,000 people in London have had their booster jab since they became available about a month ago. Figures for Southwark were unavailable at the time of publication.
Southwark’s cumulative case rate is the second lowest out of the six south-eastern boroughs since the start of the pandemic. Some 38,209 people have tested positive in the borough, giving a rate per 100,000 of 11,939. Lewisham is marginally lower, with 11,841.
Bexley is highest, with 13,711 cases per 100,000, with Lambeth just behind on 13,284. Greenwich has 12,313 while Bromley has 12,143.