Neighbours frightened of becoming infected with Covid-19 are now shunning frontline workers.

As the rest of Britain prepares to clap for carers again tomorrow night, some NHS workers are reporting a frightening backlash from the public.

One Sittingbourne mum said: "My daughter, who is a nurse, and her partner who is a consultant at Medway Maritime Hospital, have gone from seeing neighbours knocking on their front door and clapping, to the same people shouting and texting abuse at them for apparently bringing coronavirus close to their doorstep.

"These people should be named and shamed, which I would gladly do, but my daughter wouldn't."

She said her daughter had been so upset by the abuse that her employers had arranged for her to have counselling.

An NHS spokesman admitted: "Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident.

"We know of another case in Sittingbourne where a health worker has had to leave her shared home and move into a hotel because the people she shared with are scared she would infect them."

The £71-a-night three-star Holiday Inn, formerly the Coniston in London Road, Sittingbourne, is just one of many hotels offering their rooms to NHS and other frontline workers needing to self-isolate because of their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.

It has been housing workers vital to the battle against the virus since March 16.

Last month it appealed for help in feeding redeployed NHS workers.

Iceland donated 27 meals but at least 40 are needed each day when the hotel is at full capacity.

Half of the 78 rooms are available at any time for people to use as a place to rest their head following a shift.

The hotel was approached by the health service after a number of people were redeployed away from their homes by health chiefs to other areas of the country.

Other key workers, including police and prison officers are also able to take advantage of the staying at the hotel.

When they check out of a room, it undergoes a two-day deep clean before becoming vacant and ready to use again.

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