Rates of coronavirus infection in south east London have continued to decline, as storms are forecast to replace the capital's heatwave. 

In all but one of four boroughs, rates of infection have fallen for the seven days to August 7, an encouraging sign following the pausing of lockdown easing at the beginning of the month.

Scientists have speculated that warmer weather may reduce the spread of coronavirus, as it encourages people to remain outside rather than gathering indoors, where transmission is more likely. 

While temperatures are forecast to remain high London today, heavy rain is predicted over the next week. 

The number of cases confirmed nationally was beyond 1,000 for the first time since late June on Sunday, reaching 1,062.

In contrast, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley saw a fall in infection rates over the last recorded week, with only Bromley showing a rise.

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The figures are based on tests that have been carried out both in laboratories (pillar one of the Government's testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

The rate is expressed as number of new cases per 100,000 population, based on the latest Public Health England figures updated last night. 

Data for the most recent three days (August 8-10) has been excluded as it is incomplete and likely to be revised.

Lewisham, the worst hit borough currently, saw a fall from 6.9 cases per 100,000 the previous week to 4.9. This amounted to 15 individual cases in total across the borough. 

Close behind was Greenwich, which saw a fall from 6.3 cases per 100,000 to 4.2 per 100,000, a total of 12 individual cases.

The infection rate also fell in Bexley from 4.8 per 100,000 to 2.4, reflected in 6 additional cases.

Bromley saw a marginal increase, from 3 per 100,000 to 3.9, 13 individual cases. 

In Pendle, the rate has jumped from 44.5 in the seven days to July 31 to 96.6 in the seven days to August 7. A total of 89 new cases have been recorded.

In Oldham, the rate has risen from 60.3 to 87.7, with 208 new cases.

Blackburn with Darwen is third, where the rate has increased slightly from 78.8 to 80.2, with 120 new cases.

Leicester has seen a slight rise, from 54.2 to 58.2, with 206 new cases.