More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The number of patients with Covid-19 in Kent's hospitals has fallen to its lowest level for more than five weeks.
Latest figures show 985 beds across the county are now occupied by people with coronavirus - the first time the total has dropped below 1,000 since December 19.
But health chiefs are warning against complacency, as patient numbers remain almost double the 534 seen at the height of the first wave in April.
A spokesperson for NHS Kent and Medway said: “Although the numbers of patients with Covid-19 in our hospitals is gradually dropping, we are still caring for twice as many people as we were during the first peak.
"Our hospitals remain incredibly busy and we continue to prioritise the patients who require the most urgent care, but postpone as few appointments and surgeries as possible."
While hospital bosses are urging caution, the fall in patient numbers signals a light at the end of the tunnel amid the third national lockdown.
On January 4 there were 1,361 people with coronavirus in Kent's hospitals, but this has dropped by 28% in little more than three weeks.
East Kent and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells have experienced the sharpest falls, with patient numbers down 20% in just seven days.
It follows a steady fall in infection rates across the county since the strict national measures were introduced on January 5.
While patient numbers remain well above those seen in April, the number of people with Covid-19 requiring a ventilator has not surpassed the peak of the first wave.
On April 16 there were 92 Covid-19 patients on a ventilator, compared to a second wave high of 90 on January 19, and 80 on January 26.
However, more people have tragically died in hospital during the second wave, with 274 deaths in the week up to January 18, compared to an April peak of 187.
It is expected that the recent fall in Covid-19 patients will soon translate into a steady drop in hospital deaths.
Kent and Medway NHS says the only way to drive the numbers lower is to follow the lockdown restrictions.
A spokesman added: "Our dedicated staff continue to work extremely hard to provide the best possible care to all patients but we are urging people to carry on following the rules by staying at home as much as possible, wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance from others.”
