Mark Ansell, head of public health in the borough, announced the grim figures and warned the danger “has not passed” despite promising new infection rates.
He said half the beds in Romford’s Queen’s Hospital are occupied with Covid patients and the intensive care unit “is full.
“Our numbers on new cases are looking good, but they have reduced from a dangerously high mark.
“The number of deaths each week is similar to the peak of the first wave and is unlikely to come down for a few weeks yet.
“In total, more than 700 residents have now lost their lives to Covid-19.”
The health expert blamed Havering’s high infection rate and elderly population for the figures.
Over 13,000 Londoners have now died with this awful virus.
The single best thing we can do to keep us and those around us safe is to stay at home.
Stay safe this weekend, and stay at home.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) January 30, 2021
Mr Ansell’s statement came hours before the Mayor of London announced “over 13,000 Londoners have now died with this awful virus” on Twitter.
The danger “has not passed” warned Mr Ansell (Credit: Havering Council)
Council figures show 3460 residents contracted the virus in week ending 1 January, dropping to 2977 in the following week, then 1776, and in the week ending 22 January, 1,162 local tests returned positive results.
The figures from the most recent week puts Havering’s average infection rate per 100,000 as 447, which is now lower than London (488) but higher than the average for England (382).
Mr Ansell said there was “real grounds for optimism” due to the roll-out of vaccines and the borough avoiding “the very real possibility that our local NHS services would be overwhelmed”.
He also reminded residents they would only be offered a vaccine by text, phone or letter.
“You will not be contacted by email. Sadly, there are a number of scam emails around offering vaccines. Do not be fooled.”
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Tags: Havering, Coronavirus, pandemic
