The weekly number of people from Medway dying of Covid-19 has fallen to zero for the first time since the pandemic struck.

New figures reveal there were no coronavirus deaths recorded in the week up to June 26 - the latest date for which full statistics are available.

It marks a significant milestone in the fight against the deadly virus, which at its peak claimed the lives of 35 Medway residents in a single week at the start of April.

In comparison, nine deaths were recorded in the whole of June.

The figures - compiled by the Office for National Statistics - cover only those deaths occurring up to June 26, so do not account for the past two weeks.

But NHS England data, which is updated daily, shows there has not been a Covid-19 death recorded at Medway Maritime Hospital since June 25.

The news comes after national media outlets reported Medway was at risk of a localised lockdown similar to that in Leicster.

Medway's director of public health speaking about likelihood of a local lockdown

The council quickly dismissed the claims with the director of public health, James Williams, saying: "There is no comparison to be made between the rates of new cases currently occurring in Medway and areas such as Leicester.

"A local lockdown has been introduced in Leicester because 10% of all positive cases in the country over the past week were recorded in the city. The number of positive coronavirus cases in Leicester is three times higher than the next highest city and Medway is much lower than this.

"There are currently no plans to introduce any lockdowns specifically in Medway. Should, however, the need arise, we will not hesitate to take further steps should it be necessary."

Sevenoaks, where the death toll has been one of the lowest in Kent at 96, has also recorded no deaths up until June 26.

Across the rest of the county, the number of deaths has continued to drop for the 12th week in a row.

However, 33 people were recorded as having the virus when they died taking the total in Kent to 1,507.

The ONS stats also reveal the number of people who have died in with Covid-19 in a care home.

Today, Boris Johnson has been criticised for saying care homes did not follow the guidelines which lead to a high number of deaths.

National Care Association described his comments as a 'slap in the face'.

Ashford, which has had one of the worst infection rates in the country, has had the highest number at 56 which equates to 40% of all deaths in the area.

In Tunbridge Wells, 44 people lost their lives in care homes but that is 59% of all deaths in the town. The total is 75 - 3 people died at home and 28 in hospital.

The lowest is Gravesend who registered seven deaths - just 8% of the total.

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