No new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at hospitals in Kent today.

The daily figures, released by NHS England, show more than 1,000 people have died in the county's hospitals after catching Covid-19, with more than 550 more dying in care homes and elsewhere.

The total number of cases now in the county is 9,289 according to the latest published government figures, with 1,100 in Medway and 8,188 in Kent .

At Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust (MTW), 131 people have died.

It is not known which hospitals the deaths at MTW are linked to as the figures are merged.

There have been 455 deaths reported by East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust since March 22. William Harvey, Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother and Kent and Canterbury hospitals are all part of this trust, which has had the highest number of deaths in the country.

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust has reported a total of 233 deaths.

Kent's first death was a 64-year-old man with underlying health conditions.

He died at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham on March 18. The total at the trust is now 184.

There have been 48 deaths reported by Kent Community Healthcare Trust which looks after people in their homes.

Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust has reported one death.

There have also now been two deaths at Sheppey Community Hospital and one at Dartford's Livingstone Community Hospital, which are managed by Virgin Care Services Ltd.

Care homes and community deaths were included in the UK daily total for the first time on Wednesday, April 29, with the overall figure jumping by around 4,400 as a result.

But localised care home deaths are not published until some time after they are recorded meaning the NHS England statistics are the most up-to-date.

Figures released by Public Health England and the University of Cambridge last week revealed the south east has an 'R number' of 0.97 - meaning every 100 people infected spread it to 97 others.

In order to continue moving out of lockdown the government has said that number has to stay below 1, after which point infections go up.

The rate in the south east began at 2.42 and dropped to a low of 0.7 during strict lockdown before gradually rising as restrictions have been eased.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier in May, we are "past the peak".

As of 4pm yesterday there had been 41,366 deaths within 28 days of testing positive.

Dementia has been identified as a pre-existing health condition in 14% of deaths, as was ischaemic heart diseases, 13% of victims had a respiratory disease, 11% had influenza or pneumonia while 9% had no medical conditions.

Families have paid tribute to their loved ones who have sadly lost their fight against Covid-19 on our memorial page.

To get all the latest news and guidance about coronavirus, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent