Latest figures show 1,330 people died after testing positive for Covid-19 in January.

A third of all Covid-19 deaths in Kent were recorded last month, despite cases dropping to their lowest point since November 13.

During the peak of the first wave in April, 617 people died with Covid-19 - less than half of January's total.

The lowest recorded death toll was in September, when only 3 people lost their lives to the virus, after which deaths began to rise again.

In the two months between the end of November and the end of January, deaths have risen 272% - more than tripling.

These deaths are the aftermath of the winter rise which peaked at 17,004 weekly cases on January 4 just as the current lockdown began.

Cases have significantly dropped since, with Kent and Medway recording a total of 4,971 cases on the week ending January 27 compared to 7,937 the week before.

This is a weekly drop of 37.4% and has left the infection rate per 100,000 people at 267.3.

The last time cases were this low was on November 13 when cases totalled 5,190 as they began to rise on the run up to Christmas.

The highest infection rate is currently in Gravesham at 391.8 with 419 new cases being recorded after a 40% drop from the previous week.

Tunbridge Wells has the lowest infection rate at 197.1 and just 234 cases from a 36% drop the previous week.

Everywhere in Kent and Medway saw cases decrease in the last week. Dartford - the areas with the second highest infection rate - saw the largest drop at 46%.

The number of coronavirus patients in Kent hospitals has also fallen to its lowest level in five weeks, dropping just below 1,000 last week.

However, just as the cases are dropping the threat of a new variant of the virus seems to be emerging in the county.

Door-to-door testing will begin in some areas of Maidstone today after a resident tested positive for the South African variant of the virus despite having no connection to visiting the country.

It is believed this variant spreads faster than previous strains of Covid-19.

Andrew Scott-Clark, director of public health for Kent County Council, reassured there is no evidence a vaccine will not protect against this variant or that it has more severe health effects.

He continued: “We have been asked by Government to help investigate whether this variant of COVID-19 can be found in the ME15 postcode area after one person tested positive for this variant.

“By visiting houses door to door and offering a quick and easy PCR test, we can help restrict the spread of the virus even further, as well as testing all those samples for this South African variant.

“Our colleagues from Kent Police, Maidstone Borough Council, Kent Fire and Rescue and other support agencies will be carrying out these household visits and they are well trained in how to support people carrying out these tests.

“I would encourage everyone to play their part by taking this PCR test when it is offered and follow the usual advice around self-isolation if they test positive.

“People across Kent should continue to follow the national restrictions that are currently in place.”

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