A major hospital trust has now gone one month without recording a Covid-19 death on its wards.

The last recorded death of a coronavirus patient at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust was on March 14.

Latest statistics released by the health service also show there are now no patients at either Maidstone or Tunbridge Wells hospitals requiring ventilation as part of their Covid-19 treatment, and as of April 6 there were just three coronavirus patients being cared for across the two sites.

In the whole of the county by April 6 there were just three people needing ventilators to assist with breathing as a result of their illness.

The dramatic fall in the number of patients being hospitalised with the virus is attributed to the most recent lockdown and the continued successful vaccine programme.

At other Kent hospital trusts the most recent deaths recorded were on April 3 in East Kent, March 24 in Medway and March 19 in Dartford and Gravesham.

But with the latest lockdown easing making shopping trips and pub visits possible once more, people are being urged to not take chances with could allow the virus to spread faster once more.

'To maintain this progress we must abide by the latest rules...'

Wilf Williams, strategic lead for the NHS response to coronavirus in Kent and Medway, said: "There are now fewer than 50 patients being treated for coronavirus in Kent and Medway's hospitals which is testament to our hard-working staff, the vaccination programme and the local community following lockdown restrictions.

"To maintain this progress we must abide by the latest rules to ensure we can continue to follow the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown. Even after you have had your vaccine, it's still really important to wear a mask in public places, keep a safe distance from others and stay in well ventilated areas."

Andrew Scott-Clark, director of public health for Kent, cautions against complacency despite the positive trends in NHS data.

He said: "Everyone should be taking a symptom free Covid-19 test twice a week to ensure that people carrying the virus are identified and isolated.

"This is vital if we are to stop the virus spreading as lockdown restrictions are eased."

Data shows that in Maidstone borough there are now only around eight weekly cases per 100,000 people, with a similar number in both Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and Malling. Sevenoaks currently has around 15 cases per 100,000.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells