The seven-day coronavirus infection rate in Barnet dropped by nearly a third as the UK entered its second month of lockdown.

The borough recorded 226 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in the seven days to February 4, according to the latest figures.

A 32 per cent decline on the previous seven days, it brings the rate close to the UK average of 199 new cases per 100,000 people.

Golders Green North was the worst-hit part of the borough in the seven days to February 4, with 49 new cases, according to a Government map of “middle layer super output areas”.

Edgware East (40 cases), Edgware Park (38) and Colindale (38) were also relatively badly hit.

Totteridge and Barnet Gate (7 cases) and Oakleigh Park (8) saw the lowest number of new cases of the virus.

The latest update from Barnet Council, published on Tuesday, reveals hospital admissions are currently at 25 people per day. There are around 420 people in the Royal Free with Covid-19, with over 100 on mechanical ventilation, the report adds.

In care homes, 23 residents and 23 staff members tested positive for Covid-19 during the past seven days, according to the update. The Care Quality Commission reported one suspected Covid-related death in a care home in the week to January 30.

There were also 18 cases linked to schools during the past week, with 154 students currently isolating, the update reveals.

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.