The number of new coronavirus infections across southwest London has continued to fall in every borough.

This continues a trend seen in recent weeks as the third national lockdown helps to reduce the amount of direct contact between people.

The figures, for the seven days to February 15, are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

The rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Data for the most recent four days (February 16-19) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 14 (4%) have seen a rise in case rates, 299 (95%) have seen a fall and two are unchanged.

In southwest London, Merton currently ranks slightly higher than its neighbours for the rate of infection per 100,000 people - currently at 127.8, which equates to 264 new cases - this is down from 215.9 (446 new cases the previous week).

Kingston upon Thames follows shortly after with a rate of 114.4 which equates to 203 new cases, down from 170.1 (302 new cases) the previous week.

Sutton's rate is 111.0 based on 229 new cases (down from 178.8 and 369 new cases), followed by Lambeth at 100.0 with 326 new cases (down from 166.5 and 543 new cases), and Croydon with a rate of 98.3 with 380 new cases (down from 176.6 and 683 new cases the previous week).

Wandsworth registered an infection rate of 88.9 with 293 new cases (down from 149.2 with 492 new cases), while Richmond registered the lowest rate in southwest London of 78.8 with 156 new cases (down from 152.0 and 301 new cases in the previous week).

The list has been calculated based on Public Health England data published on February 19 on the Government’s coronavirus dashboard.