Some nine residents at an assisted living court in Aylesford have tested positive for Covid-19 as well as two members of staff.

While three of the residents at Queen Elizabeth Court are in hospital, all are expected to make a full recovery and the staff members are set to return to work this week.

Queen Elizabeth Court is part of the Royal British Legion village.

In April four residents at Gavin Astor House, a care home in the village, died in less than a month after catching coronavirus.

A spokesman for Royal British Legion Industries said: “Nine residents at Queen Elizabeth Court (QEC) have sadly tested posted for Covid-19, however we are very pleased to say all are expected to make a full recovery. Of them, three were unfortunately hospitalised and we can expect them to return safely to QEC in the coming days.

“Two members of our committed care staff have also tested positive and are doing well in their recovery having isolated and are due back to work later this week after getting the all-clear.

“All residents and staff who came into contact with these individuals were offered additional tests and all came back negative. We will continue to follow the guidance given to us by Public Health England and as a precaution we have offered additional tests to all QEC residents.

“As QEC is an assisted-living accommodation as opposed to a care home, residents live independently in separate flats within the complex and, under current lockdown rules, can leave to visit support bubbles, to shop and to exercise.

“Since the second lockdown, we have strictly limited interaction within the home, such as closing communal areas and barring visits from non-health professionals. Our dedicated care team have a strict hygiene policy in keeping with PHE guidance, have a weekly testing protocol and we have a strong stock of PPE.

“We are incredibly pleased that all QEC residents over the age of 80 have now been vaccinated and all other residents and staff are due to be vaccinated this week."

“We want to take this opportunity to once again thank our phenomenal care staff who continue to work valiantly in support of our residents, as well as the teams at Public Health England, Maidstone Hospital and our local GP and district nurse team for their support.”

Read more: All the latest news from Malling