The number of people with Covid in Kent's hospitals has fallen for the first time in five weeks.

Latest figures show there were 167 patients in the county with the virus on Tuesday - 16 fewer than the week before.

It brings to an end a steady rise which began at the start of October, and will come as a relief to health bosses ahead of Christmas.

Last winter Kent's hospitals were overwhelmed with Covid patients, and there have been fears the situation could be repeated again this year.

But with the county's infection rate now falling and patient numbers starting to drop, there is cause for more optimism.

The infection rate has decreased by 18% in a week, to 313 cases per 100,000 people - below the national average of 339.

Just three districts - Tunbridge Wells, Swale and Dartford - have a higher rate than England's, but each are seeing case numbers fall.

East Kent has the county's lowest rates, with Folkestone and Hythe, Dover and Thanet propping up the table.

Aside from London boroughs, Kent has the lowest infection rate among the counties in the south east.

With Kent at 313, East Sussex is at 357, West Sussex at 430, Surrey is at 360, and Essex's infection rate stands at 350.

Near the end of last month, patient numbers in Kent were at their highest level for seven months.

Figures continued to rise - suggesting there would be a consistent upward trajectory taking us into the busy winter period.

Yet the new data revealed this week bucks that trend.

Broken down across the four main hospital trusts, East Kent currently has the highest number of Covid patients with 52.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells has 50, while Medway has 33, and Dartford and Gravesham has 31.

While Covid patient figures have fallen, there has been an increase in the number on a ventilator, from nine to 14.

So far, 82% of the population aged 12 and over have had their first dose of the vaccine, while 75% have had their second jab.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent