There has been another sharp increase in coronavirus infections in Richmond.

A total of 70 people tested positive in the 10 days from September 18-27, data on the covid case tracker shows.

This included:

• 12 new cases on Thursday, September 24
• 15 cases on Saturday, September 26.

The borough's infection rate stands at 412.6 cases per 100,000 in the population.

Only two days ago the rate was 400.5 cases.

Over this period, the average London rate jumped from 540.4 to 550.5 cases per 100,000 people and the UK average rose from 664 to 679.9 today.

Record numbers of new cases

A range of metrics indicate that the country is experiencing a second wave of Covid-19.

Yesterday (Tuesday, September 29) more than 7,000 people tested positive for the first time in a single day.

There are currently 2,049 covid patients in hospital - 715 more than last week but still well below the peak in April when nearly 20,000 people were in UK hospitals for treatment.

More people than ever before are also being tested this month, despite problems in the testing system.

National covid watchlist

The increases in cases will be a concern to Richmond Council and more regional authorities including the government.

On Friday the capital was placed on the national Covid-19 watchlist, meaning further localised restrictions, including a possible London lockdown could be imposed if the virus continues to spread throughout populations.

Richmond Nub News on social media

Join the conversation on our Facebook page

We can also be found on Instagram and LinkedIn.