Covid-19 cases have leapt by 62% in the last seven days across the Richmond borough bringing the misery of Christmas in isolation.

Separately, official figures show that vaccination rates across the area are well below the national average, which means the local population is at particular risk.

There were some 499 confirmed cases on December 16 alone as the highly infections Omicron virus becomes the dominant strain across London.

The total for the past seven days to December 16 was 2,107, which was up 809 – 62 per cent - on the previous seven.

The official data suggests the number of residents admitted to Chelsea & Westminster hospital over seven days was 62, which was up 63per cent on the previous week.

The increases comes against the background of the fact that vaccination rates across the Richmond Borough are below the averages for the rest of the UK.

Official government figures show -

• 77.7% had a first jab up to December 15 versus a national average of 89.3%

• 71.4% had a second jab versus a national figure of 81.5%.

• 42.5% had a third or booster jab versus national figure of 44.3%

The highest infection rates are hitting children under 14 and, particularly, the under 12s, who are not yet included in the vaccination programme.

The high and rising number of children isolating has brought disruption to schools and education services across the borough in recent days.

Nationally, there are calls from some teachers' unions to delay returns to school after Christmas to help them manage the impact of the surge in cases.

Alongside the rise in infections, there has been a corresponding increase in people seeking tests. Some 53,062 were carried out in the seven days to December 15, which was up 116.7per cent on the previous week.

Council leader, Cllr Gareth Roberts, said: "We know that with COVID-19 levels being so high in Richmond, and it being the final lead up to Christmas, there is huge demand on testing across the country.

"We are working hard to ensure that there is enough locally, and these additional days will help with the pressure.

"Finding cases and asking these people to self-isolate is key to breaking the chain of transmission, so we can keep Richmond upon Thames safe.

"It remains vital that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms gets tested."