Kent businesses hit hard by Meningitis outbreak

Kent Businesses have been hit hard by the meningitis outbreak two weeks ago, with many reporting cancelled bookings and slower sales.

Independent MP for Canterbury Rosie Duffield told us: "Most independent restaurants and coffee shops are saying their takings are down by at least two-thirds, people were literally sort of sending me screenshots of their daily and weekly takings...So that had a big impact. Obviously, we rely on tourism. People going out and just supporting each other.

Nobody's got a sort of good story to tell at the moment about hospitality because they're really suffering from lots of different blows to their system. I was just really hoping that we get a boost. And I guess we'll see...I hope that it's just been brought back to life a little bit. And hopefully we're coming out the other end now and it's going to stay lively."

Duffield hopes that last week's enthronement of the Archbishop and the upcoming Easter holidays will give local businesses and the hospitality industry the boost they need.

Two students died in the outbreak – including 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student.

20 laboratory cases have been confirmed, with a further two under investigation.

All patients in the outbreak required hospital admission, and nine were admitted to the intensive care unit.

However, cases have decreased in the past week, according to the UKHSA, the peak of the outbreak – with the largest number of cases reported – was on March 13.

People eligible for a meningitis vaccine are being told to contact the Gate Clinic at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.