There have been over 200 new cases of Covid-19 in Richmond in recent days, ending a previous plateau in new case numbers in the borough.

According to Public Health England (PHE), there were 222 new cases of the virus in Richmond in the seven days leading up to December 7.

That represented a rise of 55 new cases from the previous week and a sharp increase of 34.5 per cent from the previous week.

The rise in the numbers of new cases being reported in Richmond has been mirrored in boroughs across London in recent days, including among Richmond's neighbours.

In Kingston, for example, 438 new cases of the virus were confirmed in the week up to December 7, an increase of 103 or 30.7 per cent compared to the previous week.

Wandsworth and Merton also saw sharp rises in new Covid-19 cases, reporting 469 new cases (a 35.2 per cent rise) and 459 new cases (24.4 per cent rise) respectively.

Health experts have voiced their concerns in recent days about the planned relaxation of restrictions surrounding the Christmas holiday between December 23-27.

Others meanwhile suggested London should be moved into the Very High 'Tier 3' restrictions as soon as possible to prevent the ongoing spread of the virus.