Ealing has become London's Covid hotspot as hospitals continue to face pressure from the Omicron variant.

The borough recorded a case rate of 1,553 cases per 100,000 people for the week ending January 11, making it the borough with the highest number of cases in the capital. 

On January 11, 182 people were in hospital with Covid in the trust responsible for Ealing's hospitals, the London North West University Healthcare (LNWH) NHS Trust.

Due to the delay between diagnosis and hospitalisation, Ealing's case rate has yet to be reflected in its hospitalisation rate. 

Nevertheless, the number of patients requiring hospital treatment with the LNWH Trust has yet to plateau according to data published on Gov.uk. 

One reason for Ealing's high case rate could be due to the relatively low vaccine uptake in the borough, with less than half of residents having received a booster jab by January 15.

Just over 70 per cent of the borough's 342,000 residents have received their second jab.

Interim Chief Medical Officer for the LNWH Trust Jon Baker said: "The trust has seen a high but steady number of Covid-19 admissions but has considerable experience in treating these patients. 

"At present, there has been no noticeable impact on ICU reflecting the fact that vaccines have greatly reduced the threat of serious illness.

"The ongoing challenge is to maintain the flow of patients coming and out of hospital and the public can help us by following government guidelines and ensuring they are vaccinated."

A spokesperson for Ealing Council said: "Covid-19 is having a big impact across the whole of London with boroughs in west London currently showing the highest figures, but data does show that rates are slowly starting to decrease.

"The best way that residents can stay safe against Covid-19 and protect others is to get the vaccine. 

"Some areas have much lower uptake of the vaccine and we are asking all residents to walk-up and get their 1st, 2nd and booster jabs at a number of centres across the borough.

"We are working closely with the local NHS to put on vaccine events, for example, St Mary's Church in Acton has a pop-up vaccination centre that you can walk-up to every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in January. 

"There are a number of other centres and pharmacies in the borough offering the vaccine, find out more on the council website."

The boroughs of Hounslow, also in West London, and Brent, in East London, were revealed to have the second- and third-highest Covid case rates in the capital, with 1511 and 1393 cases per 100,000 people respectively.

It comes as London appears to have passed the peak of the Omicron wave, according to the latest government data.

On January 11, 302 patients were admitted to hospital across a rolling seven-day average, compared to a rolling seven-day average of 345 patients the week before.

The gradual reduction in Covid cases has renewed hopes that Covid restrictions currently in place could soon be removed.

Covid restrictions, including working from home mandates and the requirement to wear masks in indoor settings, are due to be reviewed by ministers on January 26.