A district of Kent has become England’s worst-hit Covid hotspot, with local leaders putting the jump in cases down to deprivation and a “wilful disregard of the rules”.
Swale reported a rate of 631.7 cases per 100,000 people for the seven days to 18 November, according to government figures – up from 425.8 per 100,000 over the previous seven days.
The coastal borough, which includes Sittingbourne, Faversham and the Isle of Sheppey, has overtaken Hull as the English authority with the highest Covid-19 rate.
The news has come as a shock to local residents and businesses as it has been rare during the pandemic for an area in the south-east to fall into the top 20 local authorities in England for infection rate.
Amid concerns over compliance with coronavirus restrictions, the leader of Swale council, Roger Truelove, called an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon to address the soaring case numbers.
He said: “I know most people and businesses are doing what they should, but it is frustrating to still see people not wearing face coverings or keeping their distance when they should. This kind of wilful disregard of the rules means we are more likely to have further restrictions imposed on us in December.”
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