The number of Covid-19 cases in Kent and Medway since the start of the pandemic has now passed 200,000.

Over the past week, Kent has recorded 3,431 new cases and Medway 591. Both represent a fall on the previous week, being 25.9% down in Kent and minus 15.5% in Medway.

It means 165,054 cases have been recorded in Kent and 35,216 in Medway since the start of the pandemic in the spring of 2020 - a total of 200,270 across the county.

The total number of deaths for both areas stand at 4,865.

The latest figures, released by the government yesterday, come as coronavirus booster jabs are now being rolled out for more than one million residents in the two council areas.

Thousands will receive inoculations from GP surgeries, hospitals, large vaccine centres and community pharmacies across the county's 13 districts.

Priority will be given towards most vulnerable groups and frontline health and social care workers.

It is hoped the first stage of the rollout will be completed by November 1, followed by a second stage focusing on all those aged 50 or over.

Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be overseeing the running of the booster jab programme which started on Friday.

The number of people to receive two coronavirus jabs now stands at 76.7% in Kent and 73.4% in Medway.

Residents who have not had a first or second vaccine continue to be encouraged to get vaccinated, namely young people, aged from 18 to 29.

Only 41% of residents aged 18 to 29, have taken up both vaccines compared to over 90% of those aged over 50.

Meanwhile, a scientist advising the government has accused ministers of “abandoning” the testing system for international travel, saying planned relaxations will increase the risk of importing infections and new virus variants.

Professor Stephen Reicher said officials could have improved the system which saw “absurd rates” charged for PCR tests, by doing such testing through the NHS.

For a full list of walk-in clinics and more information on the vaccination rollout in Kent and Medway, click here.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

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