Covid cases in the most infected areas of Kent have dropped significantly as deaths return to levels last seen during Tier One restrictions.

Kent and Medway saw a 25.7% drop in cases on the week ending March 10, bringing cases down to 565 and the infection rate to 30.4.

The last time cases were this low was on October 5 when 557 had been recorded in the last week.

On the week ending March 3, Gravesham and Dover had the highest infection rates in the county - at 74.8 and 56.7.

A week later, Gravesham's infection rate has dropped by 50.6% to 37.4 and Dover's by 57.4% to 24.5.

However, Canterbury saw an 18% rise in cases in a week, bringing the infection rate up to 35.7 and cases to 59.

Swale saw no change in their number of cases, becoming the area with the highest infection rate in Kent at 45.3 with 68 cases.

The area with the lowest infection rate is Tunbridge Wells with a 32% drop in cases bringing the infection rate down to 14.3 with 17 cases.

There are now five areas which have met Kent's public heath director's goal of 25 cases per 100,000 people - including Dover, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells.

Deaths have also dropped significantly. The 50 deaths recorded on the week ending March 3 has dropped by 56% to 22 deaths on the week ending March 10.

The last day weekly deaths were lower than this was November 2 when 20 deaths were recorded - just three days before the second lockdown began and Tier One ended.

Following schools returning last Monday, Kent County Council has announced an "ambitious" plan to get youngsters back on track after as some are around six months behind.

A government grant of £5.3 million has been secured for food and holiday activity support to children across the county during the Easter, summer and Christmas 2021 holidays.

However, new cases are already being confirmed after only a week back at school. Wilmington Academy in Dartford have had to send 26 students in Year 8 home for 10 days after one tested positive for the virus.

To combat cases rising again, people across Kent have been advised to test for Covid-19 twice a week, according to guidance from Kent County Council's public health team.

Cllr Clair Bell (Con), KCC's cabinet member for public health, said: "Twice weekly testing will give more accurate results and it is important given the national restrictions are gradually being eased."

"Testing remains an important tool in the fight against the virus. Around one in three people who have Covid-19 have no symptoms and will be spreading the virus without realising it."

There are two asymptomatic test sites in each district - however three will be stood down at the end of the month as demand drops in Maidstone, Swale and Dartford.

If cases continue to stay low, people will be allowed to meet another household in private gardens, at weddings with six guests and for outdoor sport on March 29.

On April 12, non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers and beer gardens can reopen and on May 17 restaurants, pubs and hotels may open fully.

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