Barnet saw another steep fall in its seven-day coronavirus infection rate nearly one month into the national lockdown.

The latest data reveals the borough recorded 331 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in the seven days to January 28 – the 14th-highest rate in London.

It is a 40 per cent decline on the 554 per 100,000 recorded in the week to January 20. Earlier in the month, Barnet’s infection rate stood at nearly 1,000 new cases per 100,000 people.

Despite the latest fall, it remained above the UK average infection rate of 262 new cases per 100,000 people recorded during the same period.

The latest infection rate data is based on figures from Public Health England published on the Government’s online coronavirus dashboard. It is subject to slight variations, as the figures are continually updated.

The worst-hit part of Barnet during the week to January 28 was Colindale, with 68 new Covid-19 cases, according to a Government map of ‘middle layer super output areas’.

Edgware Park (66 cases), Burnt Oak and Watling Park (62) and Edgware East (59) were also relatively badly hit.

The areas of the borough with the lowest case numbers were Hampstead Garden Suburb and Woodside Park, which recorded 14 cases each.

Barnet Council is continuing to report outbreaks and single cases of Covid-19 in the borough’s care homes. An update published on Tuesday revealed 32 residents and 43 staff members tested positive for the virus in the previous seven days.

The Care Quality Commission reported 18 deaths in care homes in the week to January 23, according to the council report.

Although only the children of key workers and vulnerable children are having face-to-face lessons, there were 30 cases linked to schools in the last week, with 269 students currently isolating, the update adds.

The current lockdown arrangements are due to be reviewed on February 15.