Kingston and Epsom and Ewell witnessed a spike in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 coronavirus in early December, the latest figures from the pandemic show.

There were 388 new cases in Kingston confirmed in the week up to December 4, reflecting a rise of 93 and a percentage increase of 31.5 per cent from the preceding week according to Public Health England (PHE) data.

Epsom and Ewell meanwhile showed 119 new cases up to December 4, an increase of 30 or 33.7 per cent.

Kingston's increase in the number of Covid cases was higher than some of its neighbours in London and north Surrey.

Surrey Comet: Screenshot from PHE dashboard Screenshot from PHE dashboard

Nevertheless, the number of new cases seemed to be increasing across South West London and north Surrey over the time period.

The one exception was Richmond, which flatlined in case numbers with 171 new infections reported, no different from the figure of the previous seven days up to November 27.

Other boroughs reported rises similar to Kingston and Epsom and Ewell.

Elmbridge for example reported 154 new cases, up 33 or 27.3 per cent on the previous week, and Merton 377 new cases, up 42 (12.5 per cent).

In Sutton, cases also increased relative to the previous week, up 90 or 33.8 per cent).

London and Surrey are both placed in Tier 2 restrictions, which means residents are at a 'High' risk of coronavirus infection.

With numbers rising sharply in many boroughs in the region, some health leaders have already called for London in particular to be moved into the highest, Tier 3, restrictions to prevent more hospitalizations and deaths from the virus.