A Kent borough has one of the highest coronavirus infection rates in the country, new figures have revealed.

Swale's week-on-week cases per 100,000 people has risen from 265.9 to 531.0, according to statistics for the week ending November 12.

It means it now has the highest rate in the south-east of England, and the 12th highest in the country, which is topped by Hull with a rate of 780.3.

The average rate in England is just 272.9 cases per 100,000 people.

Now, Swale Council's leader has warned residents to follow guidelines and help contain the virus or risk facing stricter restriction.

Cllr Roger Truelove (Lab) addressed councillors last week and urged them to tell residents they face tougher rules if the Covid-19 infection rate can't be contained.

He also revealed prior to the national lockdown the local authority was under pressure from the government an Kent County Council to go into a Tier 2 lock.

Watch: Public health bosses refuse to rule out extending lockdown

Cllr Truelove said: “Unless we can level off the rate of growth in covid infections in the borough, we risk a longer period of high-level restrictions beyond December 2.

“Infection rates have reached 584 per 100,000 people, and if we don’t do something to contain it we risk spending Christmas in lockdown.

“Before the Prime Minister introduced the new nationwide restrictions earlier this month, we were being pressed by the government and Kent County Council to go into Tier 2 - the high-risk status - and we risk being placed in this tier when nation lockdown ends if cases continue to rise.

“Swale now has the second highest rate of infection in Kent with increasing numbers in care homes and a higher rate of infection amongst 65+ age group than in many parts of the county.

“The virus spreads virulently through close personal contact and we can only tackle the issue if we comply with government guidelines.

“It’s our duty as a council to encourage and urge people to comply with the restrictions in place and to closely monitor the business community to ensure people’s safety.

“I urge councillors to spread a message of compliance and to discourage anybody who wishes to glory in their non-compliance.”

This week schools across Kent, including many in the borough, have been forced to closed due to the rising number of coronavirus cases.

On the Isle of Sheppey 90 inmates have been infected by the virus, which has resulted in an entire wing being quarantined.

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