The coronavirus infection rate in Bexley has reached record levels, surpassing 1,000, making the borough the 10th worst area in the country.

Led by the new virus variant, Covid-19 infection rates have been surging across London for weeks and there is "growing concern" about patient numbers being admitted to hospitals.

Bexley has held the highest infection rates in all south London for nearly two months, but the situation has become more extreme in the past fornight.

The coronavirus infection rate, according to Public Health England's latest rolling figures, has now reached 1030.7 as December 27.

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This is up from 739.9 - the rate is expressed as the number of new cases recorded in the last seven days per 100,000 people in the area.

Bexley reported a whopping 2,559 new positive cases of the virus in the past week, which is up from 1,837 the week prior.

This places Bexley in the top 10 highest infection rates in the country right at the peak of the second wave.

Read more: Bexley begins Covid-19 vaccinations at Bursted Woods site

The figures came days after Bexley began vaccinating residents aged 80 and over from one of four sites in the Bexley Primary Care Network, at Bursted Woods.

In the week prior to Christmas, it was said the vaccine would be distributed from the three other centres in the care network "in the next few weeks".

Brentwood has the highest rate in the country with 1,442.5, whilst Havering is the only London borough above Bexley with 1,199.8.

In fact, there is "growing concern" in the NHS of hospitals struggling to cope with rising patient numbers.

NHS England said the number of people being treated for the virus in hospital is now 20,426, which is higher than the previous peak of about 19,000 in April.

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Bexley Council have been released regular Covid dashboards breaking down the virus spread, with the most recent published on Christmas Eve.

According to the figures, the borough has recorded 19.4% of its total cases in the last seven days, with 9.373 cumulative cases as of December 23.

According to the council, as of December 18, there were 69 schools in the borough with one of more positive Covid cases in the past seven days.

There were 16 ongoing outbreaks at care homes, plus two other 'open situations' at of December 23.

Bexley Council has also released a full list of local areas with the highest seven-day infection rates.

Top of the list is Northumberland Heath with a rate of 1,307, followed by Crook Log (1,275) and Sidcup (1,213).

Thamesmead East has the lowest infectino rate with 640. The full list is presented below.

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