Ealing Borough Covid-19 Infections Double in a Week
Warning issued that local intensive care units close to capacity
December 22, 2020
According to figures released by Public Health England, Ealing borough has reported a steep rise to 1,291 cases or a 377.7 per 100,000 weekly rate in the week to 17 December.
This compares with 629 cases, and a weekly rate of 184 per 100,000 in the seven days up to 10 December.
The figures come as the Government revealed on Saturday, 19 December, that a new strain of Covid-19 has spread quickly across London and the south east.
Council leader Julian Bell said the Tier 4 announcement was “incredibly disappointing” but the “right thing to do”.
He added, “Please follow these new rules. The new variant of the virus is virulent and we must do everything to save lives and protect our loved ones over this festive period.”
The rate in Hounslow borough is 405.9 per 100,000, or 1,102 new cases, 198.9 per 100,000 or 540 confirmed coronavirus case in the previous week.
Sending a stark warning on Friday, 18 December– just one day before the Government’s new orders for London were revealed on Saturday- Hounslow’s public health director Kelly O’Neill said the borough’s coronavirus rates were “stark”.
At that point, the health boss said the borough’s weekly coronavirus rate was 283 per 100,000, “the highest ever in the borough”.
She said, “This is what the numbers show after Lockdown 2, after weeks of Tier 2 restrictions.
“Put bluntly, these are numbers that lead to deaths. The deaths of your friends, your family and maybe yours.”
And she urged residents to follow the rules, adding: “If they are not followed, more will die.”
Doctors in North West London are urging local people to stay home and follow new tier 4 guidance. Professor Julian Redhead, Medical Director at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Clinical Director for North West London Integrated Care System, said, “Rates of coronavirus are rising rapidly in North West London. Our intensive care units are close to capacity, more people are getting infected and unfortunately, some are losing their lives. People must strictly follow the national restrictions and public health guidance in place under Tier 4 and stay at home.
“The increase in coronavirus rates across NW London boroughs over the last seven days is a worrying picture. We would advise people to do everything they can to stay safe and protect their loved ones this Christmas.”
Under Tier 4 rules, Christmas bubbles for Londoners have been scrapped, and residents cannot leave their homes “unless you have a reasonable excuse”.
Non-essential shops must be closed, and people can only meet one other person outside of their household outdoors.
Written with contributions from Anahita Hossein-Pour - Local Democracy Reporter