A group of three GP surgeries have been hit by an outbreak of Covid-19 which is affecting 24 members of staff.

Five of the staff at the West Malling Group Practice are self-isolating after they tested positive for coronavirus, while 19 others are self-isolating as a precaution.

It is not believed that any patients are at risk as a result of the illness being identified in the individuals affected, and the practice remains open with infection prevention and control measures being followed

The practice, which serves around 21,000 registered patients, has surgeries at Kings Hill, West Malling and Leybourne.

A spokesman for NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group said: "19 members of staff at West Malling Group Practice are currently self-isolating, four of which are clinical. Five of the staff self-isolating tested positive for Covid-19 with the majority of these cases contracted outside of the surgery.

"This is a precautionary measure that follows guidance from Public Health England.

"The surgery has been working hard to maintain patient care and expects services to be operating as usual early next week. Patients can still access appointments and prescriptions by calling the surgery, although it may take slightly longer to get through than usual."

"The practice would like to thank their patients and Patient Participation Group for their support during this challenging time."

Elsewhere in the county, a surgery in Folkestone was shut without warning after eight staff members tested positive for the coronavirus.

The New Surgery suddenly closed on Monday, leaving thousands of patients with no way to contact their GP.

Read more: All the latest news from Malling