More than 100 Hounslow residents have tragically died of coronavirus this month, council leaders have reported.

Council leader Steve Curran and public health director Kelly O'Neill are addressing residents as the borough recorded the "highest infection rate in London" of 914 per 100,000 of the population, on January 20.

They said: "Though infection rates in the borough are coming down, they are not coming down quickly enough.

These high numbers are putting our local NHS under great strain and, sadly, will mean more deaths.

"Already this month we have had more than 100 residents die with Covid-19, double the number we had in December."

The pair also explained why they think cases are higher in the west London borough.

They said it wasn't simply about people ignoring the rules, and acknowledged most people are "doing their bit" and following national law.

But they added: "We have disproportionately high numbers of people who have to travel to work, often on busy public transport and to busy workplaces, and also have many residents living in crowded homes with a wide range of age groups. All this puts them at greater risk.

"However, everyone must redouble their efforts to follow the rules because at the moment too many people are getting infected. You must stay at home as much as you possibly can.

"If you do have to leave, remember – hands, face, space. Anyone choosing to ignore the rules is making a choice to put themselves, and their friends and family at risk.

"They are making a choice which results in vulnerable people dying."

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And they added: "Finally, the Covid-19 vaccine is rolling out to the most vulnerable people now. Please do not contact your GP for a Covid-19 vaccine, the NHS will contact you when it's your turn to have the vaccine.

"The vaccine is our pathway out, so sit tight, stay safe and respond when asked to go for your appointment."