More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Indian strain cases have risen by almost 70% in west Kent - but are actually falling on the other side of the county.
Latest figures show there were 202 new cases of what is now known as the Delta strain across the region in the week up to June 4 - up by 53.
But while Kent's total is on the rise, the numbers show a county divided, with 78% of new cases in the west of Kent.
Figures are highest in Medway, which now accounts for more than a quarter of all the county's potential Delta cases.
Increases have also been recorded in Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Dartford, Gravesham, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells, with west Kent up a combined 68% to 158.
But towards the other side of the county, four districts have actually seen Indian strain cases fall, with the total down 20% to 44.
Notably, Canterbury - which has been subject to surge testing and recently had the highest number of Delta cases in the south east - has seen its total drop for the second consecutive week.
Thanet, Dover and Swale are also recording decreases.
But with Kent's total increasing yet again, and the same trend being seen nationally, the threat of a delay to Freedom Day on June 21 looms large.
Some scientists believe the reopening date should be put back until more people are fully vaccinated, even if all over-50s are double-jabbed by June 21.
In Kent, 55% of adults have now received two doses, and 76% one, as the the county's impressive roll-out has picked up pace.
With so many having some form of protection, just six patients are currently in the Kent's hospitals with Covid - all in the west of the county.
The figures are in stark contrast to the peak of the pandemic, when there were 1,361 patients in our hospitals.
At the same time, there has been one coronavirus death recorded across Kent and Medway in the last month.
The number of Delta variant cases are only "suspected cases" as they refer to the presence of the S-gene, which is quicker to track than putting samples through full genomic sequencing.
Tests last month showed 93% of cases in which the S-gene was detected were the Delta variant.
