London has three times more cases of the killer coronavirus than any other region in the UK, according to official statistics.

More than 900 cases have already been confirmed in the capital, with the boroughs of Southwark, Westminster and Lambeth the worst affected.

In comparison, fewer than 300 people have been struck down in the second worst hit region, the South East.

London makes up more than a third of the UK's infection toll, which has already seen 2,626 cases confirmed by health officials.

Around 50 of the 137 deaths recorded in Britain have been in London, including 16 of the 33 announced today.

It comes as Boris Johnson today said the capital – home to almost 9million people – will not face being locked down this week.

Fears are growing that travel around and in or out of the city will be stopped because the capital is driving the spread of the outbreak.

Despite London being the epicentre of the UK's escalating crisis, the worst affected single authority in England is Hampshire.

Southwark, Westminster and Lambeth are the areas of London with the most coronavirus cases. London is, in turn, the area of Britain with the most combined cases

London has three times more cases of the killer coronavirus than any other region in the UK

London is the epicentre of the UK's escalating coronavirus crisis. However, the worst affected authority in England is Hampshire (pictured). Southwark, Westminster, Lambeth, Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea are within the 10 hardest hit coronavirus spots in the UK

Pressure if building on the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to completely shut London down in order to prevent more cases. Pictured, travellers on the London Underground today

More than 900 cases stretch across the city of 9million people, with Southwark, Westminster and Lambeth the most affected. Pictured, a man wearing a mask at London Bridge today

WHY ARE CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS SO HIGH IN LONDON? London is densely populated, home to 9million people, which already puts it at a disadvantage in the fight to contain a major disease outbreak. The situation is exacerbated by the fact London is a transport hub, for those within the UK and millions of tourists from around the world. Some scientists believe the London Underground is an ideal breeding ground for the virus because there are so many people reliant on the service. Dr Michael Head, of the University of Southampton, said: 'The extensive London public transport system provides potential opportunities for transmission, with many people mixing in relatively small spaces.' Advertisement

London has been described as the 'superspreader city' and the engine of the UK's coronavirus outbreak after the total number of deaths doubled from 16 to 33 in 24 hours yesterday – it is now 37.

Southwark, Westminster, Lambeth, Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea are among the 10 hardest hit areas in the UK, each reporting more than 50 cases.

Outside of the capital, the rural counties of Hampshire (77 cases), Hertfordshire (50), and Surrey (39) are facing growing clusters. They are all within South East England, which has so far reported 18 COVID-19 deaths.

A large number of authorities have recorded fewer than 10 cases, including Wiltshire, Bradford, and the London suburbs of Kingston and Richmond.

Just four authorities – Middlesbrough, North East Lincolnshire, Rutland and Telford and Wrekin – have yet to record their first case.

Officials have admitted their testing figures do not show the true scale of the outbreak in the UK and claimed tens of thousands of patients could already be infected.

The Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said the best estimate was to assume there was 1,000 cases for every death.

Health chiefs yesterday revealed 33 more patients had died, up from the 16 recorded the day before. It means 104 fatalities have now been confirmed in the UK.

Using the Government's maths, this could mean there are around 100,000 cases in the UK.

London, being heavily populated and have strong transport connections both within and outside the city, is at high risk of a large outbreak, experts have warned.

Mr Khan criticised Londoners who were refusing to follow the official guidance on social distancing and were still travelling around the city. Pictured, commuters on a busy tube today

London's cases make up more than a third of the total across the UK, where 2,626 people were recorded as of 9am on March 18. Pictured, a man wearing a mask on the tube today

THE 20 AREAS IN ENGLAND WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS CASES Hampshire (77 cases) Southwark (70) Westminster (68) Lambeth (61) Wandsworth (59) Kensington and Chelsea (55) Hertfordshire (50) Brent (45) Ealing (42) Harrow (40) Surrey (39) Sheffield (36) Cumbria (34) Merton (34) Oxfordshire (34) Bromley (32) Croydon (32) Camden (30) Hackney and City of London (29) Haringey (29) Advertisement

Dr Robin Thompson, junior research fellow in mathematical epidemiology, University of Oxford, said: 'In general, if an initial case is in a densely populated area, then the risk of sustained person-to-person transmission following is higher.

'This is exacerbated by the fact that London is a transport hub, and the underground could provide a network to spread the virus quickly.'

Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health, University of Southampton, said: 'The extensive London public transport system provides potential opportunities for transmission, with many people mixing in relatively small spaces.

'However, the evidence related to ground transportation as a key factor in transmission of respiratory infectious disease is actually fairly limited.

'Whilst studies have linked some transmission of flu to use of public ground transport, it is not normally the main factor in the spread of an outbreak due to relatively short time periods of being in close proximity to an infected case.

'We have evidence that international travel is usually a more important factor for spread, in part due to time spent near an infectious person.'

A commuter wears a mask whilst walking across London Bridge into the City of London during the morning rush hour today

In the centre of the capital streets are largely empty as people stay away amid the spread of coronavirus. Pictured is Parliament Square

The PM has called for people who live in London to pay special attention to government's advice on isolation and social distancing, as the city is ahead of the rest of the country in terms of transmission speed.

He has refused to rule out the possibility of 'further and faster measures' to control the spread of the virus on the busy streets of the capital.

LONDON WILL NOT BE LOCKED DOWN, BORIS JOHNSON CONFIRMS London will not be cut off from the rest of the country despite facing a tougher lockdown within days amid fears it is driving the UK's coronavirus outbreak. Downing Street insisted there is 'zero prospect' of trains in and out of the capital being axed, and there are 'no plans' to shut down the Tube system, although services have been pared back. The PM's spokesman also insisted it is 'not true' that only one person from each household will be allowed to leave their homes. However, the nine million inhabitants of the capital are set for tighter restrictions on their movements - with signs the government will urge people to stay at home unless it is absolutely essential. Contingency plans are believed to be in place for police to guard shops and helicopters to airdrop food, although sources insisted that is not happening at this stage in the unfolding crisis. Camp beds and food stocks were seen being moved into Downing Street today, in more evidence that Boris Johnson and his aides are bunkering down for the situation to escalate. The PM fueled speculation about the fate of the capital last night by vowing he will not hesitate to go 'further and faster' to control the spread of the deadly virus. He said 'ruthless' enforcement of so-called social distancing measures – such as working from home and avoiding social gatherings in pubs, cinemas and restaurants – was needed. Health minister Nadine Dorries has vented her fury at images of still-busy bars and cafes in the capital, tweeting: 'This is not social distancing, it is irresponsible behaviour and the price to pay for such selfishness will be severe for us all.' Tube services in the capital are already being downgraded, with 40 stations shutting. Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged the public to travel only if they 'really, really have to'. In a desperate plea to residents, he said: 'I want to see more Londoners following the expert advice.' It comes as military chiefs are putting up to 20,000 troops on standby to be deployed to Britain's streets, hospitals and other key sites to help tackle the pandemic. Reservists have also been told they must be read to join a 'Covid support force'. Some 150 soldiers are undergoing fast-track training on how to drive oxygen tankers around the country in order to supply hospitals. Advertisement

He said 'ruthless' enforcement of so-called social distancing measures – such as working from home and avoiding social gatherings in pubs, cinemas and restaurants – was needed.

Some Londoners do not appear to be following Government advice to socially distance themselves and are still taking themselves to bustling pubs, clubs and restaurants.

People have been told not to travel unless they have to, but there are concerns about the number of people continuing to commute to work on public transport.

As a result, the London Underground will run with reduced services 'until further notice', with up to 40 stations that do not interchange with other lines closed.

It is likely services will be scaled back further, the Mayor Sadiq Khan said.

'I want to be clear now that the frequency of services is likely to continue to reduce, potentially very significantly, over the days and weeks ahead,' Mr Khan said.

'We will do this in a way that makes sure essential workers can still get around and we will not reduce service levels so that the remaining trains and buses are crowded.'

Mr Khan criticised Londoners who were refusing to follow the official guidance on social distancing and were still travelling around the city.

In a direct message to the capital's residents, he said: 'I can't say this clearly enough: people should not be travelling by any means unless they absolutely must.

'The scientific advice on this is very clear: Londoners should be avoiding social interaction unless absolutely necessary and this includes avoiding using the transport network.

'I want to see more Londoners following the expert advice, which means it's critical that we see far fewer Londoners using our transport network than is currently the case.'

London is on the verge of following the example of other cities around the world which have been raged by the virus and gone into so -called lockdown as a result.

The Army has put 20,000 troops on standby to be deployed to Britain's streets, hospitals and other key sites to help tackle the pandemic.

However, police are said to be concerned that draconian measures would be unenforceable and could even lead to public disorder.

Labour former prime minister and chancellor Gordon Brown said today the scale of the crisis now facing the country is 'unprecedented'.

He said the aggressive measures aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus, particularly in London, were necessary.

'I think people have got to accept that at certain points, as we've done before, we bring in the Army to help us in certain respects.

'I'm not advocating greater legal sanctions but I am advocating using all the resources of this country.'