Covid rules 'disregarded' as Swale becomes worst-hit area

Coronavirus rules are being "wilfully disregarded" in the district with the highest infection rate in England, the local council leader said.

Swale in Kent has overtaken Hull as the worst-hit area of England, according to figures for the week to 18 November.

Roger Truelove, leader of Swale Borough Council, said it was "frustrating" to see people not wearing face coverings and breaking social distancing rules.

An emergency meeting is taking place to discuss the issue.

The district, which includes the Isle of Sheppey and towns such as Sittingbourne and Faversham, has a population of about 150,000.

It has been uncommon for an area of the South East to report an infection rate in the top 20 of England's 315 local authorities.

But two areas in Kent are now showing significant increases. Swale, with the highest infection rate of 631.7 per 100,000 people and Thanet with the fourth highest rate of 515.

In the week to 9 November, Hull, East Yorkshire, recorded 743.4 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people - the highest rate of anywhere in England.

The city's rate remained the highest until the week to 18 November, when it had fallen to 615.1 cases per 100,000, placing it behind Swale.

Prison Service officials were due to attend the emergency meeting in Kent following suggestions that outbreaks in the area's three prisons could be making a "limited contribution" to the high infection rate.

Andrew Scott-Clark, public health director at Kent County Council, said the virus was mainly spread in the community, rather than just in care homes and prisons.

He said infections were rising among households with lower incomes, adding: "They are effectively some of our care workers and key workers who have to go out and are more likely to be exposed by the virus."

Whole families were being infected as the virus spread within a home, he added.

Prof Jackie Cassell, from Brighton and Sussex Medical School, said there were "two epidemics" in the area - one in prisons and another in the community.

There had also been a rise in infection rates in towns such as Sheerness and Sittingbourne, which are densely populated, with many people in jobs that can not be done from home, she said.

Mr Truelove said the rate was a "significant cause for concern".

"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," he said.

"This kind of wilful disregard of the rules means we are more likely to have further restrictions imposed on us in December, which is hugely unfair for people and businesses who have been doing the right thing since March."

By Rob England, BBC England Data Unit

Swale's infection rate, of 631.7 cases per 100,000 people, is more than double the national rate for England of about 240 in the week to 18 November.

Nearly two months ago, the area's rate doubled for two weeks in a row and in the past week it increased by a half.

Looking back over the past month, the infection rate has been consistently higher among people under the age of 60. However, in two of the past three weeks, the rate has been rising more rapidly in the over-60s.

East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust reported 87 beds were filled with coronavirus patients as of 17 November, a substantial rise from the previous month, when five beds were occupied.

Similarly, Medway NHS Foundation Trust reported 113 coronavirus patients as of 17 November, rising from 15 the previous month.

Since the pandemic began up to 22 November, 142 people in Swale had died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus, 23 of them in the past week.