Analysis of official figures has revealed a big jump in Barnet’s coronavirus cases, leaving it with the seventh-highest infection rate in London. 

A map by cloud-based mapping system ArcGIS looks at the data in more detail, showing the number of positive Covid-19 cases in different parts of the borough. 

The latest figures for the seven days to October 3 reveal Finchley Central recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases, with 16. Neighbouring Temple Fortune had 15 cases, while Hampstead Garden Suburb recorded 13. 

Times Series: Areas in darker blue show higher numbers of cases (Image: ArcGIS)Areas in darker blue show higher numbers of cases (Image: ArcGIS)

In the north of the borough, Edgware Park had 15 cases, and neighbouring Totteridge and Barnet Gate recorded 10. 

Friern Barnet was also a hotspot, with 13 cases, while North Hendon and Sunny Hill had 11. 

At the other end of the scale, New Barnet Town and East Barnet, Hadley Wood, West Finchley, Hendon Central and Brent Cross and Staples Corner all recorded between zero and two cases. 

Times Series: Areas in darker blue show higher numbers of cases (Image: ArcGIS)Areas in darker blue show higher numbers of cases (Image: ArcGIS)

The data used by ArcGIS comes from the Public Health England second generation surveillance system and is based on pillars one and two of the Government’s testing programme. It focuses on ‘middle layer super output areas’, which contain around 7,200 people. 

Although Barnet’s infection rate has increased, it remains below those of areas that have been subject to local lockdowns, such as Manchester and Liverpool. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said on Wednesday a local lockdown in London is not likely this week, despite rising cases across the capital. 

READ MORE: London lockdown not likely this week – but city will "move as one" says Mayor

Further analysis of the Barnet data shows a clear upward trend in cases since the beginning of August, with particularly sharp rises since the middle of September. 

It comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak played down suggestions the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out Scheme could have contributed to a rise in infections during an interview with Sky News. 

Analysis of data from Public Health England showed cases of acute respiratory infections – which can include flu and other diseases as well as coronavirus – were mainly recorded in educational settings such as schools over the past few weeks.

READ MORE: Schools playing big part in spread of coronavirus, new figures show

Barnet’s public health chief Dr Tamara Djuretic said on Monday around 20 of the borough’s schools had reported coronavirus cases, but officials did not think the virus had spread within schools.