Hundreds of pupils are back learning from home after two whole year groups of a secondary school were told to self-isolate.

Year 7 and Year 12 students at King Ethelbert School in Birchington must stay at home for14 days after two pupils tested positive for Covid-19.

Cases of Covid-19 in Thanet have rocketed 67.1% in a week, with the infection rate of 282.5 now higher than the UK average of 237.7.

Only Swale (285.2) has a higher infection rate in Kent

King Ethelbert School is just one of a long list of Thanet schools to have had confirmed Covid cases since September, with pupils being sent home to isolate.

They include Upton Juniors in Broadstairs, Chilton in Ramsgate, Ramsgate Arts Primary, Dame Janet Primary, Garlinge Primary and Ellington Infants.

Secondary schools include Chatham and Clarendon, Royal Harbour Academy and Hartsdown.

In a letter to parents, Vicky Willis, head teacher of King Ethelbert, says both the Year 7 and 12 year groups must stay home.

"Following a very detailed track and trace investigation, close work with Public Health England and a careful risk assessment, we feel it safest on this occasion, to advise the year 7 group bubble to self- isolate," she said.

"Whilst Y12 are in a wider bubble with Y13, in this particular case, the Y12 student did not have any close contacts in Y13 or use any communal shared spaces alongside Y13, so the advice of PHE was very clear that in the sixth form bubble, only Y12 need to self isolate."

Nurseries in Thanet have also been reporting positive cases of Covid, with bubbles at Port Regis Montessori and Barbies in Broadstairs both sending children home, and Manor House in Margate closing its pre-school room until November 18.

In a message to parents on its Facebook page, Manor House says a member of staff in the pre-school room tested positive.

"This does mean that unfortunately we will be closing pre-school, re-opening on Wednesday, November 18.

"We have contacted all parents/carers from the pre-school room and informed those who had a child in direct contact with the member of staff on Monday 2nd and/or Tuesday 3rd.

"These parents have been advised to isolate their child at home.

"If your child was not in our Woodlands pre-school on those days then they do not need to isolate.

"Our Badgers, Hedgehogs and Ducklings rooms remain open and your child can continue to attend if they remain well."

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet