Southwark’s new Covid-19 cases have continued to fall over the past week, continuing a pattern that has stretched back to the start of the year
New infections in the borough dropped by more than sixteen per cent over the week from February 16-22, falling to 1,418 in the period. The pace of the drop has slowed, after new cases decreased by about 24 per cent the previous week.
This is a pattern repeated across south-east London. New infections in Lambeth, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley and Bromley all dropped between fourteen and seventeen per cent over the past week.
Deaths linked to Covid-19 fell as well. In Guy’s and St Thomas’ one person passed away within four weeks of a positive Covid-19 test over the past seven days, down from eight the week before.
It came after Boris Johnson told people in England that they no longer legally have to self-isolate after a positive Covid test from this Thursday, February 24. People will instead be advised to stay at home. Among other changes, sick pay will start later, as it was before the pandemic, rather than straight away. The £500 self-isolation payments for people on lower incomes will also be scrapped.
Universally free lateral flow tests will also be scrapped from April 1, although people over 80 and clinically vulnerable people will still not have to pay.