Northolt and Greenford Worst Hit By New Covid-19 Strain

Some areas of Ealing have seen cases double again in a week

Covid-19 admissions in local hospitals rising sharply

The latest figures show a wide variation within Ealing borough for Covid-19 infection rates with Northolt and Greenford hardest hit by the spread of the new more virulent strain of the virus.

According to Public Health England data, the latest figures in the week up to December 31, 2020, shows Northolt East has suffered the highest cumulative coronavirus rate per 100,000 people, at 1311.5. 

It is also revealed, alongside Greenford West and Greenford Ravenor Park areas, to have seen the largest increase in cases in the latest week where data is available.

Northolt East has surged in positive cases by 109.5 per cent compared to the previous week, while Greenford West and Greenford Ravenor Park have risen by 111.9 per cent and 117.5 per cent respectively. 

Meanwhile, areas such as South Acton and South Ealing have seen a large drop-off in cases with 26.5 per cent and 38.5 per cent declines respectively.

South Ealing appears to have the lowest rolling coronavirus rate in the borough at 494.4 per 100,000 cases – or just 32 positive cases.

The data from Public Health England for each area, known as Middle Layer Super Output Areas, was collated from July last year.

As a borough, Ealing’s latest weekly rate of coronavirus cases has been recorded at 911.9 per 100,000, in the seven days up to January 2.

Here are all the areas in Ealing ranked from highest rolling coronavirus rate to lowest.

The borough of Ealing infection rate below the London average with the level per 100,000 reaching 912 for the most recent week. The worst areas for the virus continue to be in the east of the capital with Barking & Dagenham seeing the highest leve in the capital at 1546 per 100,000.

In the most recent week of complete data, 25 December 2020 - 31 December 2020, 87,045 cases were identified in London, a rate of 971 cases per 100,000 population. This compares with 74,967 cases and a rate of 836 for the previous week. The average for England in the most recent week was 547 cases.

On 5 January the daily number of new people tested positive for Covid-19 in London was reported as 14,700 bringing the total number of infections in the capital since the beginning of the pandemic to over 450,000. In the same period over 2.4 million people have now caught the virus in England.

Professor Kevin Fenton, London Regional Director for Public Health England said, “London’s COVID-19 infection rates are the highest we’ve seen anywhere in the country at any point during the pandemic. The new variant of the virus which transmits more rapidly is widespread and dominant across London, so the ask is simple – it is critical we must all stay at home.

“This has never been more important whilst the NHS continues to deliver the vaccine to those who need it most, and London’s hospitals care for hundreds of new seriously unwell COVID-19 patients each day.

“If you need to leave home for an essential reason such as food shopping, attending medical appointments including getting a COVID-19 test or vaccine, act like you’ve got it so you don’t accidentally spread it - wear your mask, wash your hands and keep your distance from others.

“The best thing all Londoners can do is stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.”

Tier four restrictions now apply to the area. These are similar to those imposed during the first national lockdown with people being told to stay at home - although travel for work is still permitted.

Social mixing is restricted to meeting one other person from outside your household in an open public space. All non-essential retail will have to close, along with hairdressers, nail bars and indoor entertainment venues.

Support bubbles remain unaffected, as do the exemptions for separated parents and their children.

Written with contributions from Anahita Hossein-Pour - Local Democracy Reporter

January 6, 2021