Lives depend on people helping to ease the extreme pressure facing doctors and hospitals across Kent and Medway grappling with coronavirus.

That's the message from leading NHS figures as the county continues to see the highest rates of infection from Covid-19 in England.

Senior doctors and nurses say the NHS needs the public's help to control the virus

Out of the top 10 areas with the highest infection rates in the country, seven are in Kent with Swale and Medway first and third respectively.

Pressure has been mounting on NHS officials to address the stark realities facing the hospitals throughout Kent and tell the public just how serious the situation is.

Now, senior doctors and nurses have pleaded with the public to follow the rules in a bid to reduce infections.

Hospitals are operating near to capacity or beyond with extremely high numbers of Covid-19 patients.

Medway Maritime Hospital has 210 patients confirmed with the virus and a further 40 suspected of having the disease and another 17 in critical care.

Darent Valley Hospital is at the highest state of alert with more than 100 Covid patients and is unable to offer relief to other hospitals under severe strain, according to Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott.

Dr Ambrose Okeke, emergency medicine consultant at Medway Maritime Hospital, says the emergency department has been put under pressure.

"We implore you to work with us to do our best to bring this virus under control," he said.

"Our emergency department is experiencing great pressure as well with our staff being affected as well as the people in the community."

Steve Fenlon, medical director for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, said: "Covid-19 is a deadly disease. The more the virus spreads the more severely ill patients we will see in hospital.

"To protect yourself, your family and friends and help us care for those most in need please follow the guidelines."

Mr Fenlon added "lives depend on" people washing their hands, covering their face and making sure they leave space for others.

Chief nurse at Kent and Medway CCG, Paula Wilkins, said the NHS needed people to help the entire health system this winter and with the current situation regarding Covid infections.

Ms Wilkins said: "All of our hospitals are extremely busy at the moment and these pressures across the whole NHS will remain while the Covid infection rate is high.

"We really need your help.

"Please remember hands, face, space and test and trace and together we can save lives."

She said anyone requiring to attend a walk-in centre should use the NHS 111 phone or online service first and only visit A&E in an absolute emergency.

"NHS 111 can offer more help than ever before and if you need to see somebody in person they can arrange a timed appointment in the most appropriate place.

"This means not you not only get the right care with the least waiting time but that our A&Es are saved for the most unwell."

Dr Vanessa Purday, clinical director for surgery and anaesthetics at East Kent Hospitals, said patients requiring emergency, urgent and cancer surgery will still be treated.

The trust is the county's biggest and runs five hospitals in Ashford, Canterbury, Margate, Dover and Folkestone.

Dr Purday said: "You may find staff are working in different areas and it's important we have the specialist skills right across our wards and emergency areas.

"Staff are being moved to support you in your treatment."

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust chief nurse Claire O'Brien said it was "absolutely essentially" anyone with symptoms or a positive test self-isolates "straightaway".

"We know it's tough but this really is about saving lives," she added.

Meanwhile, the government is giving sterner advice about gathering for Christmas next week after leaders of the UK's four nations agreed to keep the three household bubble rules for five days in place from December 23.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people must have "extreme caution" next week and urged for the public to show "personal responsibility" particularly over meeting with vulnerable and elderly relatives.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

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