Bexley: Covid rate doubled in week prior lockdown loosening

In the seven days to March 27, 148 new cases were recorded in the borough, giving it an infection rate of 59.6 cases per 100,000 people.

In the previous week, just 69 cases were recorded, a rate of 27.8 cases per 100,000 people.

This could be a delayed consequence of the return to schools on March 8, as it predates the lifting of measures on social gathering this week.

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

Data for the most recent four days (March 28-31) was excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

A comparable change was not seen elsewhere in south east London.

Greenwich saw a minor rise, from 35.1 cases per 100,000 people to 42.7 per 100,000.

In the other two boroughs the infection rate fell, from 29.4 to 23.9 in Lewisham and from 24.1 to 21.7 in Bromley.

People have made the most of the warmer conditions after Monday’s easing of coronavirus rules, which means groups of up to six, or two households, are now able to socialise in parks and gardens and that outdoor sports facilities can reopen.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick urged people to enjoy the sunshine in a “sensible, cautious” manner by sticking to the rules.

He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “We just need to exercise caution and be sensible and pragmatic about how we do that.

“I think the vast majority of people are and will do that, they will enjoy the sunshine this week and at the Easter weekend, but they’ll do so in a sensible, cautious way.

“The two things aren’t mutually exclusive – you can go and out, have fun, enjoy the great outdoors and the sunshine, while also trying to be careful, sticking to the rules and trying to avoid the most crowded places.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock also tweeted, saying: “Let’s enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely.

“We have come so far, don’t blow it now.”