Information on testing and vaccination centres has been issued by Medway Council in an effort to quell the rising number of cases.

The holiday update from the council features detailed information on where to get tested, obtain home test kits or where to get a Covid vaccination or booster jab.

It follows a surge in cases that saw the weekly infection rate surge to 1598 per 100,000, from December 17 to December 24, up 655 cases on the previous week; compared to a national rate of 1264 per 100,000 people, which was up 390.8 on the previous week.

People are urged to get a PCR test from the national home test kits page if they have Covid symptoms such as a new, continuous cough, high temperature, or loss of taste or smell.

After visiting Medway Park last week, the national team has also set-up a mobile testing site for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms at The Hundred of Hoo School Car Park.

Booking online, using the site code "TLT", is required to access this site, which is available today from 9am to 5pm, and tomorrow, Friday, December 31 from 9am to 2pm.

If you have symptoms, you can also book in advance to use the walk-in site at Jellicoe Building at Greenwich University, while there is also a PCR test site at Curtis Way in Rochester, although availability is currently very limited.

Residents are also encouraged to test even if they don't have symptoms, especially if they are entering high risk situations, as one in three people with Covid have no symptoms.

Drop-in symptom-free testing is available at pop-up sites at Rainham Healthy Living Centre today from 9am - 5pm, followed by the Balmoral Healthy Living Centre, Gillingham, tomorrow from to 9am to 2pm; then at the The Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham (unit 27/28) from 10am to 4pm.

On Sunday, January 2, pop-up sites will be at Dockside Shopping Centre, Chatham, from 10.30am to 4.30pm and at Strood Sports Centre from 10am to 4pm.

Home test collection centres are at the following sites:

Miss Twinkleton’s Fine Coffee House and The Oast House

Thursday, December 30: 10am - 6pm; Friday, December 31: 10am - 4pm; Saturday, January 1 - Monday, January 3: Closed

Chattenden Community Centre

Thursday, December 30: 10am to 6pm; Friday, December 31 to Saturday, January 1: Closed; Sunday, January 2:10am to 6pm; Monday, January 3: Closed.

Greenwich University, Sports Hall

Thursday, December 30: 8.30am to 4pm; Friday, December 31 to Saturday, January 1: Closed; Sunday, January 2: 12pm to 7pm; Monday, January 3: Closed

For those who need a first dose, second dose or booster vaccine; the Kent and Medway NHS CCG is running the following walk-in services at:

Pentagon Vaccination Centre (Chatham)

Thursday, December 30: 8.30am - 6pm (for over 12s); Friday, December 31: 8.30am - 4pm (for over 12s)

Sturdee Avenue Pharmacy (Gillingham)

Thursday, December 30: 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 6pm (for over 16s); Friday, December 31: 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 6pm (for over 16s)

Bryant Road Pharmacy (Rochester)

Thursday, December 30: 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 6pm (for over 16s)

Rochester Healthy Living Centre

Thursday, December 30: 8.30am - 1.30pm and 2.30pm - 7.30pm (for over 18s); Friday December 31: 8.30am - 1.30pm and 2.30pm - 7.30pm (for over 12s)

Lordswood Healthy Living Centre

Thursday, December 30: 8.30am - 1.30pm (for over 18s) and 2.30pm - 7.30pm (for over 16s); Friday, December 31: 8.30am - 1.30pm (for over 18s) and 2.30pm - 7.30pm (for over 16s)

Cliffe Woods Pharmacy

Thursday, December 30: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm (for over 16s)

High Halstow Car Park - vaccination bus (next to the village hall)

Wednesday, January 5: 8am - 5pm (for over 16s)

No booking is required at any of these locations.