Latest health figures have seen the number of new Covid cases plummet in Dover and Deal, as mass vaccination comes in.

Instances in the area fell below 400 per 100,000, which is back to levels last seen in early December.

This is half the number of cases that were reported in mid-December when the area was in Tier 4.

At the same time, thousands of injections are being rolled out now at the main district vaccination base at Dover Health Centre in Maison Dieu Road.

These began on January 15.

Extra vaccination hubs and spaces are being created elsewhere with Balmoral Surgery in Walmer stepping forward and the Clockwork Pharmacy on Deal High Street approved for the first pharmacy hub.

Those aged 80-plus in Sandwich can get their injections at the Mocketts Wood surgery in Broadstairs this week. Again the exact date is due to be confirmed.

A new major East Kent mass vaccination hub has been announced at the former Debenhams in Folkestone, with a second such centre for the area expected to be announced shortly.

Community testing centres continue to provide hundreds of appointments at locations right across the area, based at Dover, Sandwich, Canterbury and Folkestone.

Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, said: “There has been a marked fall in the number of new cases recorded in our area which is very encouraging.

"The restrictions are working and that is a credit to everyone locally who is sticking to the rules and being sensible. But we must remain vigilant.

“After my determined effort with the Vaccines Minister and local health chiefs I am delighted that we now have additional GP vaccination and pharmacy hubs for Deal and Walmer, adding to the thousands of vaccines going out from the district centre in Dover.

“The three pillars to beat the virus are restrictions, testing and vaccination.

"If you don’t have symptoms, book in for a non-symptomatic test at the community testing facilities, so that we can continue to identify and drive down the virus locally.

MRs Elphicke did this at Dover Discovery Centre earlier this month and got a negative result.

She added: "I hope that everyone will take up their vaccination appointment when invited to do so. Let’s all remain vigilant and keep this moving in the right direction.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock today stressed that those inoculated still had to keep socially distancing.

He said it was not known how long the dosage would take to have effect nor if it stopped transmission.

Non-symptom tests can be booked through the link kcc.healthit.org.uk/covbook/home

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

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