Coronavirus rates are falling in five Kent districts as the UK waits to observe the effects of the Indian variant on lockdown easing.

While rates in the county have risen slightly in the week leading up to May 31, the overall level of infection remains below the national average.

Additionally, rates in Dover, Canterbury, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Thanet have all fallen.

Thanet has seen the largest decrease, with just seven new cases meaning a fall of 53.3%, resulting in a rolling rate of just 4.6 cases per 100,000 people.

Tunbridge Wells and Dover have also seen relative falls, but it will perhaps be the biggest relief for many to see falls in Canterbury and Maidstone.

Both districts saw surge testing implemented after a steep rise of the variant first detected in India, now referred to by the World Health Organization as Delta.

The two-week targeted enhanced testing programme started in Canterbury on June 1, with health officials urging people living, working or studying in the CT1 and CT2 7 postcodes to get tested for the virus.

In the week leading up to May 21 the district saw 42 such cases - nearly half the total figure recorded across the county.

Enhanced testing also took place in Maidstone after 20 cases of the Indian strain was identified in the ME14 1 postcode.

However, the rate in Canterbury has decreased by 24% to a rolling rate of 23, while Maidstone has seen a decrease of just under 5% to 11.6.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock gave the biggest sign yet rising case numbers may delay June 21s so-called Freedom Day.

Across Kent cases rose by 40% last week while 75% of adults have now had at least one jab and almost half are fully vaccinated.

For a full breakdown of the rates across the county, click here.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

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