Covid-19 related deaths rose by 52% in Kent in December.

Figures show that by November 30, 1,453 people had died in Kent within 28 days of having a positive coronaviris test.

A month later, on December 31, that number had risen to 2,220.

This is an increase of 767, which equates to 52%.

The data comes from the government's website, which is updated daily.

Deaths linked to coronavirus in Medway - listed separately to Kent - increased by more than 82% in December as 213 people died.

The figures showed those who have died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test stood at 471 by New Year’s Eve - up from 258 since the last day of November.

Overall, this means 980 people died from the virus in the county last month.

This was despite Kent having just come out of November's national lockdown and also being under tier 3, and then 4, in December.

The county, and indeed whole country, has now been placed under a third national lockdown in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

People should now stay home as much as possible, and only leave for a limited number of reasons, such as going to work, shopping or for a medical appointment.

Schools have all been closed until at least February half term.

Yesterday health bosses warned that as many as one in 50 people have got coronavirus.

It comes after the Office for National Statistics told ministers that more than 1 million people in England is now infected with Covid-19.

The rise in cases is connected to a new fast spreading variant; the Prime Minister has said the new variant, which is up to 70% more transmissible, is spreading in a “frustrating and alarming” manner.

The total number of cases in Kent and Medway since the pandemic began is now, as of latest statistics published today, more than 100,000.

That is 80,911 cases in Kent and 19,323 in Medway - a total of 100,234.

As of December 30 - the latest data published for hospitals - there were 423 patients with Covid in hospitals run by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust - which includes the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Latest figures obtained by KentOnline reveal 280 patients with Covid are currently being treated at Medway Maritime Hospital - more than half of all beds available.

Across the UK, there are more than 30,000 people in hospitals being treated for the virus.

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