The London boroughs of Waltham Forest and Redbridge continue to have some of the highest coronavirus rates in London.

Government figures show much of east London is a hotspot for Covid-19 - the infection rates are so high in Havering, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, and Barking & Dagenham, it could push the capital into tougher tier 3 restrictions later this week.

But a map shows while some areas of Waltham Forest and Redbridge have recorded dozens of cases over the last two weeks, other areas are relatively Covid-free.

What's the situation like right now across the two boroughs?

In the seven days to December 7, Waltham Forest and Redbridge had the second and fourth highest infection rates in London respectively.

Waltham Forest's rate sat at 352.7 cases per 100,000 population - equivalent to 977 cases, while Redbridge's rate was a little lower at 332.9 (1016 cases).

In particular, the rate in Waltham Forest has soared. In the seven days to November 30, the rate was 223.8. Now it is the 12th highest in England.

The government's coronavirus data dashboard shows 553 cases were found in Waltham Forest between December 7 and 9, which is some of the highest daily figures ever seen, and it means the borough's rate will rise even higher.

The rate has crept up just a little in Redbridge in December, but will rise over the next few days after more than 200 cases were found on each of December 7 and 9.

This table below, using data from the government map, reveals the number of cases in every area of Waltham Forest and Redbridge over the last two weeks.

Where has the surge of new cases been in Waltham Forest?

We don't know where the majority of cases found on December 8 and 9 were yet, but a government map tells us a rise in cases in early December was due to outbreaks in parts of Chingford, Highams Park, and Leyton.

Cases doubled in Chingford Mount in the first week of December, compared to the last week of November, with 68 cases in a week.

Chingford Green West recorded 64 cases in the first week of December, while there were 51 in Leyton South, 49 in Highams Park West, and 44 in Higham Hill.

It's not all bad news - cases are relatively low (30 cases or less) in many parts of Walthamstow and Leytonstone.

An alert on Waltham Forest Council's website reads: "Waltham Forest is in Tier 2. But Covid-19 cases are high and rising. Do not mix with others indoors and remember hands, face, space."

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Covid map of Waltham Forest. The darker the colour, the more cases there are

Where are the hotspots in Redbridge?

Redbridge has had some of the highest rates in London for some time.

The map shows areas of concern include Ilford, Goodmayes South, and Clayhall South.

On the other hands, cases are low in places like Woodford, Wanstead, and Barkingside.

And there are signs of encouragement - both Newbury Park and Valentine's Park and Cranbrook have seen cases drop over the last two weeks.

A virtual meeting, hosted by Redbridge Council, will take place at 1pm on December 17, where residents will be urged to "act now" to reduce the spread of Covid - meeting link here.

Leader Councillor Jas Athwal said: "I am proud of how the vast majority of our residents and businesses have followed the government guidelines to protect themselves, their families and their neighbours. Now we have a vaccine, Christmas is just around the corner, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

"However, the danger has not passed and we must remain cautious, otherwise we risk more hardship and tragedy in our communities."

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Credit: PA

How many Covid deaths have there been?

Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs five hospitals including Whipps Cross in Leytonstone, and Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, have both recorded the highest number of deaths of patients who tested positive for Covid-19, since the pandemic began.

There have been 797 deaths at Barts and 772 at Barking, Havering, and Redbridge.

Barts has recorded 69 of these 797 in December, and 169 in November.

Barking, Havering, and Redbridge has recorded 40 in December, including ten on December 8.