KentOnline

A vulnerable patient says he fears for his life after a man he was told had tested positive for Covid-19 was moved onto the same hospital ward.Kevin Gearey has cancer and has been shielding throughout the pandemic.He was admitted to Medway Maritime in Gillingham on Friday with a chest infection and spoke to the KentOnline Podcast from his bed.Also in today’s podcast, there are fears businesses in Kent aren’t ready for a no deal Brexit.A food charity says demand for supplies are expected to triple this Christmas.And we hear from Gillingham defender Connor Ogilvie ahead of their game against Doncaster Rovers this weekend.

The chief executive of Visit Kent has been chatting to the KentOnline Podcast about how the tourism industry plans to recover in 2021.A study released this week has revealed how much the sector was worth in the county in 2019 along with the number of visitors.We reveal the details and speak to Deirdre Wells.Also in today’s podcast why is mass coronavirus testing so important? A University of Kent expert explains all as it looks set to be expanded across the county.We have the latest on Brexit as the end of the transition period gets ever closer.And, the author of a best-selling book on her battle with ME talks about her second book and hopes it’ll dispel even more myths about the condition.

A teenager from Maidstone who is one of the world’s very few self-made teen millionaires has been chatting to the KentOnline Podcast about his success.Elliot Padfield had made his first million before sitting his GCSEs and has now moved to America after leaving school early.He’s been speaking to our reporter Katie Heslop.Also in today’s podcast we speak to the head of the Thanet Fishermen’s Association as Brexit trade talks reach a critical stage with the end of the transition period only days away.We’ve got the remarkable tale of a key to a 900 year-old tower that’s been returned almost 50 years after it was ‘borrowed’.And the Gillingham boss has been reacting to their defeat to Cambridge United which sees them knocked out of the EFL Trophy.

A great-grandad from New Romney has become the first person in Kent to be given the Covid-19 vaccination.
Kenneth Lamb had the injection at Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital just days as the Pfizer / Biontech jab was approved for use in the UK.
In today’s podcast hear from Ashford GP Dr Jack Jacobs on what a momentous day it is in the fight against coronavirus.
Also, we’ve been speaking to a young Kent woman who’s been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after suffering with symptoms for 10 years.
She’s been speaking as new research shows 1 in 5 people diagnosed in the UK is under the age of 30.
And we hear from the Gillingham boss ahead of tonight’s EFL trophy game at Cambridge United – which’ll be played in front of supporters.

A mass coronavirus testing facility has opened in Medway which now has the highest rate of infection in England.The military have set up the site in Chattenden in a bid to identify people who’ve got the virus but aren’t showing any symptoms.Hear from the council leader, head of public health in the towns and the commanding officer for the Medway Resilience Unit.Also in today’s podcast, are supermarkets still doing enough to enforce social distancing? We’ve got the results of a KentOnline poll.Find out why Rochester Cathedral will be lit up green tonight.And, we’ve got reaction from Gillingham’s win over Swindon Town at the weekend from boss Steve Evans.

Unexpected snowfall caught Kent by surprise and caused a number of problems on the roads.We’ve been chatting to one of the county’s leading highways bosses to see how prepared they are for winter.Also in today’s podcast – students prepare to travel home for Christmas but many are still concerned about spreading coronavirus.A wild animal park is hoping to raise thousands to create a forever home for rescued lions and bears.And, independent retails are hoping for a bumper weekend, which includes small business Saturday, after reopening following lockdown.Plus we hear from striker John Akinde ahead of Gillingham’s game against Swindon Town this weekend.

More than 30 years after two young women were killed in Tunbridge Wells, a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, both lived in basement bedsits in the town and worked in the same road.Cold case detectives have regularly reviewed the investigation and are now questioning a 66-year-old man.Also in today’s podcast, we have more reaction to news of a coronavirus vaccine has been approved.A man who’s made a film about county lines drug dealing hopes it’s wake-up call for parents and young people.And, we’ve got reaction from the Gillingham manager to last night’s win over Bristol Rovers.

It’s a massive day in the fight against Covid-19 as the first vaccine is approved for use in the UK.In today’s podcast, hear from a virologist at the University of Kent on how it’s been developed so quickly and from the head of care group as we’re told the elderly will be the first to have the jab.We’ve also got reaction to Kent now being in Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions.While shops are able to reopen, pubs can still only do takeaway and other indoor leisure venues have to stay closed.We’ve been speaking to the boss of Adventure Kidz in Aylesford and Phil Thorley from Thorley Taverns in Thanet.Finally, hear from Gillingham’s assistant boss ahead of their trip to Bristol Rovers tonight in league one.

It’s the final day of the second national coronavirus lockdown in England and from tomorrow Kent will be in Tier 3 restrictions.
That means while all shops can open again, pubs will only be able to do takeaways and indoor attractions will have to stay closed.
MPs have been debating it in the commons, hear what one of them had to say.
Also in today’s podcast, there’s a call for schools to be able to close early for Christmas to ensure children can spend time in a family bubble – we’ve been speaking to the chair of the Kent Association of Headteachers.
And, our friends at KMTV have been to visit one attraction that can’t wait to re-open tomorrow – and neither can their lions and tigers! Hear from the animal director at Port Lympne near Hythe.

Back after a long hiatus, KM’s political editor Paul Francis sits down with Oliver Kemp to discuss the biggest political stories of the week.
On the eve of the government’s vote over England’s tier system, is a mutiny on the cards?
And as Brexit edges ever closer, Paul talks us through what lies in store for Kent.