Coronavirus infection rates have risen in Bromley, Lewisham and Bexley for the first time since January.

Case numbers have steadily fallen across south east London since mid-January, when severe lockdown restrictions began to take effect after infection rates climbed over 1000 new cases per 100,000 people.

This trend continued in all four boroughs until this week, when rates increased slightly in Lewisham, Bromley and Bexley.

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The figures, for the seven days to March 12, are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

The rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Data for the most recent four days (March 13-16) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

In Lewisham, the infection rate sits at 28.4 cases per 100,000, compared to 19.9 the week before.

This meant there were 87 new cases recorded compared to 61 a week ago.

In Bromley, the latest figure is 33.7 per 100,000, compared to 25.6 the previous week.

This meant there were 112 new cases recorded compared to 85 the week before.

In Bexley, the rate also rose slightly 28.6 per 100,000 (71 cases) to 30.6 per 100,000 (76 cases).

In Greenwich, cases fell from 42.7 per 100,000 to 36.8. 

Around a third of areas across England have seen similar rises in case rates over the last week.

Pupils returned to the classroom on March 8, in the first stage of the Prime Minister’s roadmap out of the lockdown.

On the same date, people were allowed to meet one person outside of their household outdoors again.

There will be further limited changes from 29 March, the week in which most schools will break up for Easter.

Outdoor gatherings of either 6 people or 2 households will be allowed, providing greater flexibility for families to see each other.

Outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, will be allowed to reopen, and people can take part in formally organised outdoor sports.

From April 12, non-essential businesses can reopen, as well as outdoor hospitality venues.