The spread of Covid in London is “out of control” according to Sadiq Khan, who has declared a “major incident”
It comes as the coronavirus infection rate in London has exceeded 1,000 per 100,000 people.
Currently, there are more than 7,000 people in hospital with Covid-19, the mayor said.
This is a 35% increase compared to the previous peak of the pandemic, Mr Khan added.
He said the London Ambulance Service was currently taking up to 8,000 emergency calls a day, compared to 5,500 on a typical busy day.
It comes after the London Fire Brigade said more than 100 firefighters had been drafted in to drive ambulances to help cope with the demand.
Mr Khan warned that London is “at crisis point”.
“If we do not take immediate action now, our NHS could be overwhelmed and more people will die.
“Londoners continue to make huge sacrifices and I am today imploring them to please stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary for you to leave. Stay at home to protect yourself, your family, friends and other Londoners and to protect our NHS.”