Jump directly to the content
BEST CASE SCENARIO

London reports NO new coronavirus cases for 24 hours in huge boost for lockdown easing


LONDON has reported NO new coronavirus cases for 24 hours - giving a glimmer of hope that lockdown measures could soon be eased further.

The capital has been one of the hardest hit regions in the UK since it's first reported case in February.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

 London has been one of the hardest hit regions in the UK during the coronavirurs outbreak
2
London has been one of the hardest hit regions in the UK during the coronavirurs outbreakCredit: AFP or licensors

On Monday no new cases of the killer bug were recorded in London and the East of England, according to data published yesterday by Public Health England.

PHE Health chiefs have cautioned not to look too much into this figure as it could be an anomaly.

A Department of Health spokesperson stressed this doesn't mean the epidemic is tailing off.

On Sunday, PHE data shows 19 mores cases of Covid-19 were recorded in London - and the same figure on Saturday.

Figures from Thursday and Friday show 77 and 53 more coronavirus cases were recorded in the capital.

The latest figure could be attributed to a glitch similar to when the Covid-19 patient notification system stopped working temporarily on May 16.

In London, a total of 5,819 people have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, according to the PHE figures published for Tuesday.

Data from the Office of National Statistics shows that 5,903 deaths related to coronavirus were recorded in London up to May 13.

The declining number of cases and deaths is one of the five tests the UK needs to pass before lockdown is lifted.

Another one of the tests is to see the infection or "R" rate drop to below one.

EASING OF LOCKDOWN

Lockdown rules began to ease last week, with sunbathing and unlimited exercise allowed - as long as Brits observe social distancing.

Brits have also been told if they can go back to work then they should, sparking commuting chaos in the capital as transport in London has been running on a reduced timetable.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has faced criticism after announcing plans to increase the charges for vehicles driving in central London and hike Underground fares.

Pupils at some schools will return in June, while pubs, cafes and restaurants could open to sell pints and food from market-style outdoor stalls in just weeks.

The Prime Minister's spokesperson also hinted that some elements of the lockdown could be eased at different rates in different parts of the country.

Boris Johnson’s spokesperson said the Recovery Strategy document released last Monday made it clear that the authorities would be responsive to new data on local infection rates when looking to ease lockdown.

He said: "It could lead to some of the measures being eased at different rates in different parts of the country and at the same time it could lead to some measures being re-imposed in some parts of the country but not in others."

2

Last week, experts estimated the reproduction number has gone up from between 0.5 and 0.9 to between 0.7 and 1.

But the government's top scientists cautioned that the small increase in the R value isn't thought to be linked due to a lag of about two to three weeks in data.

Instead, they believe that as the total number of cases in the community is falling, the number in care homes and hospitals is accounting for a greater proportion of the total.

Earlier this month, the North West over took London as Britain’s coronavirus epicentre with more hospital cases than the capital.

Cases across the country have been steadily dropping after 2,412 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed yesterday - down from 2,684 the day before.

The number of deaths has steadily been falling as well - despite yesterday being the highest rise in a week, with deaths jumping by 545.

Mr Johnson hopes a slow phased unlocking of Britain will allow the country to slip back into some sort of "new normal".

The Government still needs to fulfill the five requirements needed to end lockdown.

The five tests are: the ensure the NHS has the capacity to provide care, there is a sustained and consistent fall in daily deaths, the 'R' rate drops to manageable levels, over coming operational challenges with PPE and testing and being confident in easing lockdown.

The Sun Online contacted Public Health England for a comment.

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW

Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.

To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply 'Like' our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - find out more.

Topics