Coronavirus infection rates remain extremely high and rising across the majority of the capital, according to the latest figures which are broken down below.

Data released by Public Health England reveals the latest Covid-19 case rates for local authorities across England, now accurate for the seven days running to December 25.

The numbers are based on tests carried out in laboratories or in the wider community, and show the infection rate, expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Data for the most recent four days (December 26-29) has been excluded as it is incomplete and does not reflect the true number of cases.

And over three quarters (76%) of local areas in England have seen a rise in case rates in the past seven days, including the majority of south west London.

Your Local Guardian:

Croydon currently has the highest infection rate in south west London, with a whopping 756.9 cases per 100,000.

The borough recorded 2,927 new cases in the past week, and its rate is up from 618.0.

Merton is marginally behind, with a Covid-19 rate of 756.7, up from 622.6 after recording 1,563 new cases.

Sutton has also seen a considerable rise in cases, with its infection rate rising from 568.5 to 725.5 after 1,497 cases were recorded.

Kingston upon Thames has recorded an infection rate of 585.3.

This is up from 555.5, with 1,039 new cases recorded.

Finally, Richmond upon Thames has a Covid-19 rate of 570.1, up from 437.3, after recording 1,129 cases.

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Nearby, Lambeth's infection rate is 678.5, whilst in Southwark it is 646.4, both up from the week prior.

Bexley has the highest infection rate of all south London (987.2), whilst the highest in London is Havering (1068.8).

The number of lab-confirmed cases recorded in a single day in the UK hit a new record on Tuesday, rising above 50,000 for the first time, to 53,135.

It comes as hospitals in England struggle under the strain of dealing with a higher number of Covid-19 patients than ever during the pandemic, surpassing the first wave peak that was seen in April.

Matt Hancock confirmed yesterday that millions more people in England will be placed under the toughest tier four coronavirus restrictions as case numbers continue to rise.

The health secretary will set out the details in the House of COmmons later today, but rumours mention a possible Tier 5 for the worst affected areas, which would include London.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Hancock said it was clear from recent data that the number of infections was rising in other parts of the country - not just in London and the South East "as it was in the last few weeks".