Covid patient numbers in Kent have risen by almost 30% in a week as new cases continue to soar across the county.

Positive tests had fallen for a number of weeks until the start of March, but a rapid turnaround has seen infection rates double in the space of 10 days.

As new cases have risen, so have the number of people with the virus in Kent's hospitals - from 240 to 305.

But health chiefs have stressed that many are asymptomatic and being treated for something other than Covid.

However, the increased prevalence of the virus presents a logistical challenge to hospital teams as they look to reduce the risk of transmission.

Other trusts in England are reporting "significant bed pressures" because of the sudden rise in new cases.

In Kent, there were 13,404 new positive tests in the week up to March 13, compared to 5,329 in the last week of February.

Just two districts - Dartford and Gravesham - now have an infection rate lower than the national average.

The hospitals trust covering those areas also has the fewest Covid patients, with 38 - a rise of just two in the week to March 15.

But larger increases have been seen elsewhere in Kent.

At Maidstone Tunbridge Wells, patient numbers have jumped from 58 to 73, and in Medway from 32 to 50.

But it's East Kent - one of the biggest trusts in England - that has the most Covid patients, recording an increase from 114 to 144.

Dr Neil Wigglesworth, its executive director of infection, prevention and control, said: “We continue to see many patients testing positive on admission or early in their hospital stay.

“Many of these patients are asymptomatic, and are being admitted for reasons other than Covid.

“We are doing all we can to reduce the risk of further transmission in hospital, including continued use of face masks for visitors and patients as well as staff, and strict infection prevention and control procedures.”

Of some concern will be the fact that cases have more than doubled in Kent's over-60s since the start of this month.

Professor Tim Spector is the lead scientist on the ZOE Covid study, which tracks new cases using an app through which people report their symptoms.

He warned: "Covid cases are now at the highest levels the ZOE Covid study has ever recorded. Even more concerning is the rise in new cases in people aged over 75. This vulnerable group have had low case numbers for months.

“We will need to wait a few weeks to see the full impact on increased hospitalisation but numbers have already started to rise.”