THE number of COVID patients needing intensive care in West London hospitals has remained low despite a rise in infection rates.

The boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow have seen some the highest levels of COVID outbreaks since the new Indian or Delta variant has become widespread in the UK.

Hounslow was singled out with additional COVID guidelines by the Department of Health on May 21, as its infection rate rose to 51 cases per 100,000 residents.

Ealing, the second largest borough in London, has seen its own infection rate climb to 55 cases per 100,000 as of June 2 – the most recent date available.

Despite the increase in infections – due to the Delta variant being more transmissible – there has not been an influx of patients at local hospitals.

The high efficacy of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines has been credited for keeping hospital patients' numbers relatively low.

The London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust runs Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal, and Ealing Hospital in Southall.

On June 1 there were a total of 12 COVID-positive patients in the three hospitals.

The total has stayed below 20 since mid-April.

And of those 12 COVID patients who were present at three sites on June 1, only three required a mechanical ventilator.

Across all of London, an average of 20 new patients with COVID were admitted to hospital per day over the seven days leading up to June 5.

As of yesterday (June 7) a total of 252 patients with COVID are present in London hospitals – its highest point since May 21.

Of that total, 42 patients require a ventilator, a figure that has remained steady since late May.