Dartford is currently seeing a rapid rise in the number of new Covid-19 infections according to the latest data from Public Health England (PHE).
Data from PHE showed a rapidly rising number of new infections in the borough that mirrored recent high rates of its neighbours in South East London.
According to the data, 1,363 new cases of the virus were confirmed in Dartford in the seven days up to January 5.
That represented a rise of 122, or 9.8 per cent, on the previous week's figures.
Around 1 in 3 people have no symptoms of #COVID19
— Kent County Council (@Kent_cc) January 7, 2021
Symptom-free covid testing is available in Kent. If you leave the house for work or essential activities, it's important to book regular symptom-free tests.
Book here: https://t.co/2pER4ikGgn#DontBeTheReason #ProtectKentandMedway pic.twitter.com/45WYBiY7ft
Dartford's 'rolling rate' of new infections per 100,000 people currently stands at 1,210.4 according to PHE.
That was significantly higher than the figure for Kent as whole, excluding Medway (790.5) and England (650.9).
Across Kent, some 12,502 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the week up to January 5, an increase of 1,381 or 12.4 per cent on the previous seven-day total.
🗣️@CMO_England Professor Chris Whitty on #coronavirus.#COVID19 is spreading quickly across the country, putting many at risk & increasing pressure on the NHS.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) January 9, 2021
As we roll out vaccines, it is vital that you continue to stay at home to:
▶️ protect the NHS
▶️ save lives#StayHome pic.twitter.com/bmMMCrotFg
With cases soaring across London and the total number of deaths attributed to coronavirus hitting 80,000 in the UK (over 1,000 new deaths were reported Saturday), health officials have warned that the British government should be more proactive at tackling the virus.
Professor Devi Sridhar, chairwoman of public health at Edinburgh University and an adviser to the Scottish Government, said there is currently “no clear strategy” in the UK other than “reactive lockdowns”.
Speaking on Times Radio, she said test and trace systems must be improved, along with stricter measures at international borders and support packages for people who are forced to self-isolate.
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