We are still reporting the highest rate of coronavirus infections in the capital, new data released today shows (Monday, October 19).

In the seven days to October 12, Richmond had a rate of 141.1 new cases per 100,000 people in the population.

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).

They have been calculated by Press Association and are based on Public Health England data published on the government's coronavirus dashboard.

Despite concerns that a large number of the borough's tests are thought to be from university students living in cities such as Durham and Manchester but still registered with a GP or home address in Richmond, the council leader has warned that residents must be "under no illusion" about the rise in cases.

Cllr Gareth Roberts said: "We know that this is a large number of cases and we are doing our best to find out if there any patterns are emerging.

"What we do know is that there are a significant number of cases which are people who have been tested away from the borough, usually in places such as Durham, Manchester or Exeter and because they have a GP address or home address here in the borough, they are being classed as Richmond cases.

"We are doing our best to ensure that we can separate those figures to give us a clear understanding of the spread of the virus here in the borough.

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"But we must be under no illusion. These are only part of the numbers. We know that the rise of the virus is commonplace across London and here in the borough, so we need to make sure we are following all of the rules, including the new guidance."

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