LONDON — Local officials in London have advised some schools to close and move to online learning as coronavirus cases rise rapidly in the British capital.

The advice from officials in north London’s Islington borough and southeast London’s Greenwich came as the capital and its surrounding areas face being moved into the highest level of COVID-19 restrictions as early as Monday. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is expected to update lawmakers later Monday.

In November, London was among areas with the lowest regional infection rates in England. But some areas in and around London have now become virus hotspots.

“There is a serious and very worrying rise in coronavirus across London, with cases doubling every few days,” said Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council. On Sunday, Greenwich officials said the borough was experiencing a period of “exponential growth” in cases, with infection rates now at their highest since March.

Mayor Sadiq Kahn has suggested that the government asks all secondary schools and colleges in London to shut early ahead of Christmas because of outbreaks among 10 to 19-year-olds.