Latest figures show that almost one in 100 people living in Medway could have Covid-19.

Infection rates continue to increase across the county as the worst-hit areas see record levels of the virus in the community.

The figures published today show in Medway the weekly rate has grown to 931.8 per 100,000 people in the period December 10 to December 16.

This is up 325.9 on the previous seven-day period.

Neighbouring Swale's rate is now standing at 840.2 per 100,000 people, up 194.6 on the week before.

People living in Medway and the Sittingbourne and Sheppey parts of Swale use Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, which remains under intense pressure.

Despite its high infection rate, Medway is now the country's sixth worst-hit area as cases in South Wales spike.

The lowest infection rate across Kent can be found in Tunbridge Wells, at 336.9, but this is still significantly higher than the England average of 263.1.

Kent's overall figure is 595.7 per 100,000.

There have now been 51,779 cases of Covid-19 in Kent and 12,216 in Medway since the start of the pandemic.

Cases are defined as total number of people with at least one positive Covid-19 test result, either lab-reported or lateral flow device.

Today, the county's hospitals reported two further deaths, which have happened at various points over the past few days – both at Medway Maritime.

The continued growth of the outbreak in Kent, and elsewhere in the south east, led the Government to introduce tougher Tier 4 restrictions in a bid to slow the spread of a new strain of the virus.

Speaking from Downing Street yesterday, Boris Johnson confirmed the stricter Tier 4 measures for the county amid growing concern over the new, fast-spreading strain.

Much of the south east is now under a 'stay at home' order, with travel limited to a small set of exemptions and non-essential retail closed.

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