Proportion of Londoners with Covid could be as low as 0.78%, new ONS figures show

The proportion of Londoners infected with Covid-19 appears to be falling and could be as low as 0.78 per cent of the capital’s population, it was revealed today.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed London had the fourth lowest regional infection rate in the country of 0.9 per cent on November 18, and remained below the England-wide average.

But daily data also published by the ONS shows the rate had dropped in London to 0.78 per cent by last Saturday, November 21.

“Positivity in the general population” is one of the key factors the Government is using to determine which tier areas are place in to restrict the spread of Covid.

The weekly infection study, which was published this morning, a day earlier than usual, last week estimated that one per cent of Londoners had Covid.

Today’s report states: “Over the last week, positivity rates have increased in the East Midlands and have continued to decrease in the North West, while the West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West now also appear to be decreasing; the highest positivity rates are seen in Yorkshire and The Humber, the North West and the North East.

“Over the last week, increases in the positivity rate can only be seen in secondary school-age children and positivity rates have decreased in adults aged 35 years and over, whilst it appears that rates among the youngest age group as well as those aged school year 12 to age 24 years and 25 to 34 years are levelling off; rates remain highest among secondary school-age children and young adults.”

Today’s report said there were 2,659 positive tests gathered in the most recent two-week period from a total of 202,607 nose and throat swabs. These positive tests were from 2,440 people from 1,972 households.

Over the last six weeks, a total of 7,017 positive tests have resulted from 653,615 swabs.

Across the country, the highest weekly rates are in Yorkshire and the Humber (1.9 per cent), followed by the North West (1.8 per cent) and the North East (1.7 per cent)

The East of England, followed by the South West and South East, have the lowest rates.

But looking at the most recent daily data, all regions have declined, with London falling to 0.78, the South East to 0.64 and East of England to 0.51.

These figures appear to provide firm evidence that the second national lockdown, introduced on November 5, has dampened the spread of the virus, even if deaths continue to rise.

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