Bromley’s rate of coronavirus infection has more than doubled in three weeks, with 272 cases confirmed in the last seven days.

The borough currently has the third lowest rate of infection per 100,000 people in London, with the south east still faring comparatively better than north of the river.

However, the currently rate of 110 new infections per 100,000 people over a week is a worrying increase on where it stood at 56 per 100,000 three weeks ago.

In the past 28 days, there have been 1,222 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the borough.

The R rate for London, including Bromley is 1.1-1.3, according to Public Health England, with the growth rate of new infections estimated to be +2 to +5 percent per day.

The Prime Minister today said the R number - the reproduction rate of the virus - was "only just above 1" and the lockdown would bring it back below that threshold.

He acknowledged that "we don't want to be doing things to repress liberty, we don't want to do anything to damage our economy" but "we would see fatalities running in the thousands if nothing was done".

However, the rapid tests could be "possibly decisive" in defeating the virus and there were also better drugs and the prospect of a vaccine.

"Amid the uncertain gloom of November, I see light ahead and I'm absolutely certain that we will have better days before us," he told ministers.

"Let's all work flat-out as a Government to repay the confidence of the people who are doing the right thing and following the latest autumn measures."