Almost 50 firefighters across the county are off work after testing positive for coronavirus.

As of yesterday, 49 crew members were self-isolating, but bosses at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) have confirmed the organisation has 'appropriate staffing and resources to respond to emergencies'.

Chris Else, assistant director for resilience at KFRS, said: “We have robust contingency plans in place to ensure we have the appropriate staffing and resources to respond to emergencies and keep people safe. "Throughout the pandemic, we have maintained a full service and continue to do so.”

And bosses at South East Coast Ambulance Service also say they also are dealing with higher absence levels, but have not yet responded to KentOnline's request to confirm the number of employees who are currently off work.

Spokesman, Rich Airey, said: "Like many organisations we are having to manage higher than normal levels of absence due to Covid.

"This varies day by day and we are supporting staff and working hard to ensure they can return to work when safe to do so."

None of the county's ambulance stations have had to close as a result of staff absences, and employees in control rooms and paramedic crews are still responding to patients.

Rich Airey added: "The public can really help us by making the right choices over the coming weeks and the rest of the winter to keep themselves and others safe."

However, Kent Police said absences at its police stations across the county remain low thanks to isolation rules and the force has not released the number of its staff staff off work.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, Nigel Brookes, said: "The absence rate for staff and officers remains relatively low.

"Swift intervention and support in the workplace has meant that we’ve been able to isolate positive covid cases quickly and keep offices and stations safe, whilst seeing one of the lowest absence rates in the country.

"Officers and staff continue to wear personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of the workforce and the wider community, and we continue to work in offering a first-class service to the people of Kent."