Wandsworth has highest Covid infection rate in London

The borough’s infection rate currently stands at 553 per 100,000 of the population, with Lambeth second – according to government figures from the week ending July 22.

Residents in the borough are out of ideas on how infections can be reduced now all lockdown restrictions have eased with some fearing another lockdown is looming, but health bosses are urging people to get vaccinated.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to residents across Wandsworth to find out why infections are so high and what should be done to reduce this.

Faiza North, a resident of Wandsworth who has not been jabbed and does not intend do, called it “just money-making”.

Tyler Hislop, 37, is still wearing a mask

Faiza believes the high numbers are due to the younger population in Wandsworth but does not agree with the way everyone was let out from lockdown on July 19.

The 23-year-old said: “I feel like there’s another lockdown coming. I don’t feel like it’s going to get any better with the way [the government are] going about things, and after Boris extended lockdown for a month, he only extended it because he saw the numbers, but the numbers didn’t get any better.”

Her thoughts on mask-wearing were: “I don’t really think it’s saving us”.

James Sa, a 42-year-old resident of Wandsworth, said: “Mask wearing is a current solution, but not forever.”

He added: “The vaccine reduces the effect of Covid, but doesn’t mitigate the problems.”

Tyler Hislop, 37, who is moving to Wandsworth from Southwark said: “Somebody is going to have the highest [infection rate], but I don’t think there is anything in particular Wandsworth could do to lower it.”

When asked on his opinion of mask-wearing, he said: “I’m going with what the government suggests, which is that they do something, but I’m surprised how little we know about face masks.”

On vaccines, he said: “I’m relying on the experts, and the consensus seems to be that they are good, that they are effective and the research would back that up so I think people should be educated on it.”

As of July 23, at St Geoge’s Hospital in Tooting, there were four Covid-19 positive patients are being cared for in intensive care and 12 on other wards, according to the trust.

This is down from 20 coronavirus patients at the hospital, with two on ventilators on July 13.

A St George’s Hospital spokesperson said: “We have robust plans in place to manage increases in coronavirus admissions, but people can help us and play their part in keeping themselves and others safe by getting their Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

“Lifting restrictions does not mean the risks from Covid-19 have disappeared, but simple steps such as wearing a face mask in crowded or enclosed spaces, washing your hands regularly and keeping a safe distance away from others remain vitally important.”

Shannon Katiyo, director of public health for Wandsworth, said: “The rate of new cases of Covid-19 in Wandsworth has continued to rise reflecting the increase seen elsewhere in London.

“Wandsworth has a very young population and a large proportion of our residents are aged 25-34 years.

“The highest rates of infections also affect the same age group, and we need as many people as possible to get vaccinated.”

He added:  “We know that vaccinations reduce infections, hospitalisations and death and that no one is safe until we are all safe. We are urging everyone to join the millions who have already been vaccinated and grab a jab.”