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A Kentish borough now has the highest coronavirus infection rate in England, new data shows.
The latest figures show Swale had 631.7 cases per 100,000 residents in the week to Nov. 18, pushing it above Hull, which was the worst hit in England last week.
An alarming increase in cases follows, which saw the number of new cases in Swale more than double in seven days.
Experts have warned that southern England is rapidly overtaking the northern parts that have been heavily affected by the virus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to outline plans to lift the country out of the national lockdown later today, with leaders in Kent warning that the area could still face heavy restrictions.
Nearby Thanet ranks fourth, with an infection rate of 515.1 per 100,000 people.
Swale’s council leader Roger Truelove has warned that parts of Kent will face the highest level of restrictions when the national lockdown is lifted on December 2. Kent Live Reports.
He said: “Unless we can level off the growth rate of Covid infections in the municipality, we risk a longer period of high-level restrictions beyond December 2.
(Image: VICKIE FLORES / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
(Image: Grant Falvey / LNP)
“If we don’t do something to contain it, we run the risk of spending Christmas locked up.
“Before the Prime Minister introduced the new nationwide restrictions earlier this month, we were pressured by the Kent County Government and Council to enter Tier 2, High Risk status, and we risk being placed at this level when the national lockdown ends if cases continue to rise. “
Part of the increase in Swale is believed to be due to the jail breakouts.
Last week it emerged that an entire wing at HMP Elmley had been quarantined due to the high number of cases.
From the week to Friday, the municipality saw its infection rate skyrocket from 316.5 cases per 100,000 to 654.3 after 982 people tested positive.
Tory MP Gordon Henderson told Kent Online: “It is very disappointing and very disturbing that Covid incidents are so high in my area and in Swale in general.
“I don’t think there is any overlap, in fact the other two areas in Kent with a lot of incidents are Medway and Thanet and all three have areas of deep deprivation within the community. There is no overlap of that.”
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