JUST two northern regions are in the UK’s top 50 coronavirus hotspots – as the country sees an astonishing u-turn in the worst-hit areas.
A month ago, Bristol was the only southern city to make it to the grim list.
But following England’s national lockdown, London, Essex and Kent now dominate – with more than 100 schools in the capital set to close early as Covid rates surge.
Burnley and South Tyneside are the north’s Covid hotspots.
In an abrupt change, places including Greater Manchester and Blackburn with Darwen have dropped out of the list altogether – suggesting that tough Tier 3 measures could be working.
Swale and Medway in Kent are now the country’s hardest-hit, with more than 600 cases per 100,000 people.
The Government considers quarantine measures for travellers arriving in the UK when cases rise above 20 per 100,000 people.
Basildon in Essex is in third place. The rate in the town has risen sharply from 372.9 to 613.8 per 100,000 within just a week, with 1,149 new cases.
Havering is London’s worst-hit borough, coming in fifth place with a rate of 506.3.
Just weeks ago, no area of the capital was in the top 50.
However, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Waltham Forest, Enfield, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Bexley, Merton, Bromley, Kingston upon Thames, Greenwich and Haringey are now areas where coronavirus is spiking.
Today, officials in Greenwich have announced that all schools will shut from tomorrow night – despite the Government reaffirming its commitment to keeping kids in class.
Labour-run council leader Danny Thorpe said in a statement Public Health England had advised the authority to shut all 133 schools as Covid cases were “escalating extremely quickly”.
In an open letter, Cllr Thorpe said the risk was “extreme”.
But spokesperson for the Department for Education said tonight it’s their “strong expectation” that all schools enable full-time attendance.
The capital looks set to go from Tier 2 to Tier 3 when measures are reviewed on Wednesday.
London has been particularly badly-hit, with soaring rates in every borough.
It’s claimed the city could be split into different tiers to keep central areas booming – while shutting down Covid hotspots on the outskirts.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is now thought to be considering shifting the hardest hit parts of London into Tier 3 – while leaving the centre in Tier 2.
That would allow pubs and restaurants in the West End to keep their doors open during one of their busiest times of the year.
Meanwhile, people in Manchester are hoping the region will finally step down a tier after a drop in cases. The area has had just three weeks of looser restrictions since the first lockdown.
The latest figures show there were 153.4 positive tests in Greater Manchester for the week ending December 9 for every 100,000 people in the local population, down 7.7 per cent compared to the week before.
It puts the region significantly lower than the infection rate for England, which has risen by 15 per cent to 172.8 over the same period.
By comparison, the infection rate for London rose 40 per cent during the same week to 241.5.
But the picture is bleak nationally, with Covid-19 case rates rising in two-thirds of all local areas in England.
Across the UK, another 18,447 cases were diagnosed overnight as rates remain stubbornly high, while another 144 people lost their lives.
Despite that, the Government has committed to a five-day easing of restrictions for Christmas – although the Prime Minister has warned Brits not to have a “big blow-out”.
Up to three households will be able to mix from December 23 and 27 across the UK under official government guidelines.
Mr Johnson said: “I really urge people to think hard about how you choose to enjoy that relaxation.
“I really would urge people to urge on the side of caution rather than, I’m afraid, have a big blowout with multiple households.
“I know the rules say three households, but there is ample scope, alas, for further increases in this disease during the tough winter months.”
