An outbreak of Covid-19 has been reported at Medway Maritime Hospital with several patients testing positive today.

Chief executive James Devine says there are currently a small number of affected people being cared for on Will Adams ward.

The hospital would not comment on how many patients have the illness, but KentOnline has been informed it is at least three.

The ward specialises in hormone-related diseases.

Mr Devine said: “As a precaution we have suspended visiting on the ward; we have taken this step to ensure the safety of our patients, staff and the wider community.

“The trust is currently reviewing the circumstances and is taking all appropriate action to limit the spread of the virus, including testing all inpatients and staff on the ward and carrying out enhanced cleaning.

“We would like to reassure our community that we have a range of measures in place to ensure the safety of those coming to our hospital, including appropriate PPE for staff, hand hygiene stations and the wearing of masks on hospital sites, one-way systems and social distancing."

It was previously reported that the first person with Covid-19 to die at the hospital in Windmill Road, Gillingham, was in March.

A 64-year-old man with underlying health conditions was under the care of the hospital at the time when he tested positive.

But the daughter of a pensioner believes he may have been the first person outside of China to succumb to the disease when he died at the hospital on January 30.

Chatham resident Peter Attwood, 84, had a heart condition and passed away after developing a cough and fever.

Experts struggled to identify why he died and took samples for testing.

Last month his daughter Jane Buckland received his death certificate, listing Covid-19 as the cause of death.

"As a precaution we have suspended visiting on the ward" – James Devine

This is believed to make Mr Attwood the first known death from the virus outside China, 19 days after the first reported casualty in the city where it is believed to have originated, Wuhan.

Mr Attwood was admitted to a ward on January 7, struggling for breath. Ms Buckland and her daughter Megan,18, had also been ill before Christmas with a temperature, cough and diarrhoea.

Speaking to KentOnline , full-time carer Ms Buckland, 46, said: "I was caring for my dad at the time, but as Covid wasn't a thing here, I was never concerned that I could pass anything onto him.

"I decided I would ask the coroner to test dad for Covid, being that we all had symptoms, although apparently the first case of Covid was here in January and the first death was not until March 5."

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