Coronavirus rates of infection in Waltham Forest and Redbridge are being driven up by the highly infectious delta variant.
Between July 1 – 8 there were 690 newly recorded Covid-19 infection in Waltham Forest – an infection rate of 249.1.
The rate, expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people, has shot up from 189.5 in the seven days to July 1 when 525 new infections were reported.
In Redbridge, the situation is similar; There were 676 new cases in the seven days to July 8 equating an infection rate of 221.5.
The week before the rate of infection had been 162.8 when 497 new infections were posted.
Public Health England figures show 826 cases of the Delta variant – first identified in India – had been recorded in Waltham Forest by July 7 and 600 had been recorded in Redbridge.
PHE said the Delta variant currently accounts for around 99 per cent of cases that are sequenced in the UK.
However, deaths and hospitalisations in both boroughs remain low.
Since April 1 there have been just three recorded Covid-related deaths in Waltham Forest, with latest on July 8.
In Redbridge there has been two deaths in July so far and 12 since April 1.
Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UKHSA, said: “The data continues to show that the sharp increase in cases that we are seeing is not being followed by a similar increase in hospitalisation and death.
“This is because two doses of the available vaccines offer a high level of protection.
“Getting both jabs is the best way to ensure you and the people you love remain safe.”
https://www.eppingforestguardian.co.uk/news/19441368.infection-rates-east-london-rise-sharply-new-delta-cases-reported/
