London Councils, a cross-party organisation which represents all 32 boroughs and the City of London, said no additional measures were being taken in the capital. But it warned the entry o nthe list is a “stark reminder that now is time for all Londoners to pull together and take action to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe, and to ensure that London’s economy is protected”. A statement said: “There are no additional measures at this stage but it is welcome that that the city’s testing capacity is boosted so that Londoners have timely access to Covid-19 tests and the Government must ensure that this is sustained from now on. If Londoners have Covid-19 symptoms they should apply for a test at nhs/coronavirus or call 119.
“London boroughs are working with their communities, business and the police to engage, educate, explain and, if necessary, enforce the new restrictions and regulations, and the Government must ensure that it funds these so resources do not need to be drawn from other services.
“We ask all Londoners to work together and abide by the national restrictions announced on Tuesday.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan warned the capital is at a “very worrying tiping point right now” with the recent surge in coronavirus infections.
He said new measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 are now “absolutely necessary” and launched a scathing attack against the Government over coronavirus testing, warning ministers to “get a grip”.
London news: The capital has been placed on the coronavirus lockdown watchlist (Image: GETTY )
Mr Khan said in a written statement: “London is at a very worrying tipping point right now. We’re seeing a sharp rise in 111 calls, hospital admissions, and patients in ICU.
“The near collapse of test and trace and resurgence of the virus means new measures to slow its spred were absolutely necessary.
“Testing capicity was diverted away from London in the past two weeks to other national hot spots, and the weekly numbers are now down 43 percent in the capital since mid-August.
“The lack of testing capacity is totally unacceptable and is why London has been added to the Government’s coronavirus watchlist as an area of concern.
“Ministers simply need to get a grip. It’s vital that testing capacity is increased immediately in London and focused in the areas that need it most.
“Any delay will mean letting the city down and will cost lives”.
On Thursday, the UK announced 6,634 new COVID-19 cases – the highest ever figure recorded in a single day since the pandemic began.
The massive spike came after 6,178 infections were added to the tally on Wednesday, with cases in London more than doubling since August.
Earlier this week, Kevin Fenton, London’s director of Public Health England, held a meeting with Mr Khan and the leaders of all 32 boroughs across the city.
He pointed to increased admissions to hospitals and a rising number of calls to 111 as evidence that Londoners had a serious outbreak on their hands.
Professor Fenton even went as far as to suggest the epidemic in the city could be as bad as that in the northeast.
He said London had lost about 20 per cent of testing capacity as it was moved out of the city to other hotspots.
The latest development comes after worrying new data revealed the estimated number of coronavirus cases across England has jumped by a massive 60 percent in one week.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) infection survey said there were around 9,600 new coronavirus infections per day in England, up on 6,000 the week before.
The survey, which tests thousands of people in English homes whether they have symptoms or not, also revealed some 103,600 people had coronavirus from September 13-19 – equal to around one in 500 people.
The ONS said: “The estimate shows the number of infections has increased in recent weeks.
“In recent weeks, there has been clear evidence of an increase in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in all age groups, with the current rates highest in the 17-to-24 age group.
“There is evidence of higher infection rates in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, London and North East.”
This is a breaking story. More to follow…
