Coronavirus rates in England are now highest in London, but infections have plateaued nationwide, the latest figures show.
The capital had the highest average infection rate in the country – 191.8 per 100,000 people – for the week of 30 November to 6 December, according to the weekly surveillance survey by Public Health England.
Case rates have fallen the most in the West Midlands, there the figure is 158.4 per 100,000, down from 196.8 the previous week.
It comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan warned people in the city they risk moving from Tier 2 to Tier 3 restrictions amid the surge in cases. The tiered system in England is due to be reviewed on 16 December.
Public Health England’s latest data shows that cases have increased in 24 of London’s 32 boroughs.
Over 20,000 new cases
Today the UK has recorded 20,964 more COVID-19 cases – a rise of 4,386 compared to yesterday’s figure of 16,578.
Another 516 deaths have also been reported – a slight fall on the 533 fatalities confirmed on Wednesday.