Coronavirus infection rates remain extremely high and rising across the majority of the capital, according to the latest figures which are broken down below.

Data released by Public Health England reveals the latest Covid-19 case rates for local authorities across England, now accurate for the seven days running to December 25.

The numbers are based on tests carried out in laboratories or in the wider community, and show the infection rate, expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Data for the most recent four days (December 26-29) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

And over three quarters (76%) of local areas in England have seen a rise in case rates in the past seven days, including the majority of south east London.

News Shopper:

Once again, Bexley has the highest infection rate in all south London, with a whopping 987.2 cases per 100,000.

The borough recorded 2,451 new cases in the past week, and its rate is up from 868.3, altough it did actually peak at just over 1,000 on Tuesday, December 29.

Bromley has seen a large rise in cases, recording 2,661 new virus cases, bringing its Covid rate from 665.9 to 800.7.

Greenwich isn't too far behind, although appears to be increasing at a slower rate with an infection rate of 688.0.

This is up from 608.8 after the borough recorded 1,981 new cases.

Finally, Lewisham has a Covid-19 rate of 673.6, up from 563.4, after recording 2,060 new cases.

Nearby, Dartford, like most of it's Kent counterparts, has an infection rate of 849.0.

Lambeth's infectino rate is 678.5, whilst in Southwark it is 646.4, both up from the week prior.

The number of lab-confirmed cases recorded in a single day in the UK hit a new record on Tuesday, rising above 50,000 for the first time, to 53,135.

It comes as hospitals in England struggle under the strain of dealing with a higher number of Covid-19 patients than ever during the pandemic, surpassing the first wave peak that was seen in April.

Matt Hancock confirmed yesterday that millions more people in England will be placed under the toughest tier four coronavirus restrictions as case numbers continue to rise.

The health secretary will set out the details in the House of COmmons later today, but rumours mention a possible Tier 5 for the worst affected areas, which would include London.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Hancock said it was clear from recent data that the number of infections was rising in other parts of the country - not just in London and the South East "as it was in the last few weeks".