Latest figures show 37% drop in new Covid-19 cases
By Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

The Covid-19 infection rate in Barnet is now below the UK average following a further steep fall.

The number of new coronavirus cases recorded in the borough was 120 per 100,000 people during the seven days to February 11 – down 37 per cent on the previous week’s figure.

It compares with a UK-wide infection rate of 142 per 100,000 and a London average of 127 per 100,000 recorded during the same period.

The latest infection rate data contrasts sharply with the figures published in the first week of the January, when nearly 1,000 cases per 100,000 people were recorded in Barnet.

With the vaccine rollout continuing, the Government has set out a roadmap out of lockdown today.

The latest figures for the borough saw cases drop compared to the previous seven days, with only Brunswick Park Road and High Barnet and Hadley seeing slight increases, according to a Government map of middle layer super output areas.

Burnt Oak and Watling Park was the worst-hit part of Barnet during the week to February 11, with 24 new cases of the virus.

Hendon Park and Brent Cross and Staples Corner also saw relatively high case numbers, with 21 in each area.

Mill Hill Park, with fewer than three cases, was the least badly affected part of the borough.

The latest update from Barnet Council, published on Tuesday, reveals hospital admissions have reduced slightly to around 19 per day – but there are still around 340 people in the Royal Free with Covid-19.

Cases in care homes are falling, with three residents and 14 staff members testing positive for the virus during the previous seven days, according to the update. The Care Quality Commission reported one Covid-related death in a care home in the week to February 6.

There were 20 Covid-19 cases linked to schools in the previous week, with 165 students currently isolating, the council report reveals.

The latest infection rate data is based on figures from Public Health England published on the Government’s online coronavirus dashboard. It is subject to slight variations, as the figures are continually updated.

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