The rate of new coronavirus cases in Kent is three times lower than across England, figures show.

Analysis of new statistics reveals there have been 3.7 positive tests per 100,000 people in the county in the last seven days – compared to a national rate of 11.

At the height of the pandemic this number reached 70 in Kent, when there were 1,098 new cases reported in a single week in the middle of April.

The figures suggest the county is handling the spread of coronavirus better that many other regions, with the number of positive tests plummeting in the last month.

In the week up to July 21 there were 172 new cases recorded, compared to 58 in the seven days up to August 21.

At the same time as Kent's picture is improving, the national rate is rising.

On July 1 it stood at 6.4 cases per 100,000 on a seven-day rolling average, but has now jumped to 11.

The Government is believed to be using a benchmark rate of 20 when imposing travel restrictions on countries across Europe and further afield.

In Spain the rate is currently 50.9.

KentOnline reported earlier this week that new case numbers were at their lowest since lockdown and Covid-19 deaths had fallen into single figures for the first time.

NHS statistics also show two people have died in Kent's hospitals in the last week, down from 19 over the same period a month ago.

But Kent County Council's Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark, has warned against complacency.

"[The figures are] something we continue to monitor extremely carefully and are ready to take action in the event of significant outbreaks," he said.

"However, now is not the time to relax or be complacent as Covid-19 is still out there and the battle is far from over if we wish to avoid a second wave and the potential for local containment measures."

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