The number of meningitis cases in the UK’s outbreak has risen to 34, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
The numbers include two students – A 21-year-old student at the University of Kent and a sixth form pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham – who died from the virus in Kent last weekend.
University students who were turned away for meningitis vaccines on Friday were seen queuing on Saturday morning.
The UKHSA said that as of 5pm on Friday, 23 laboratory cases of meningitis were confirmed, and 11 notifications remained under investigation.
Read more: The symptoms, treatments and if you need the vaccine
Students queuing to receive vaccines and antibiotics at the University of Kent campus in Canterbury on Saturday. Pics: PA
In its daily update, the agency said that 4,500 vaccinations had been given, and over 10,500 doses of antibiotics had been administered.
NHS Kent and Medway also said that 5,794 vaccines had been administered, and 11,010 antibiotics had been handed out, as of Friday evening.
Dr Ben Rush, UKHSA consultant in Communicable Disease Control, said: “We continue to remain vigilant for new cases and work closely with NHS England and local authorities across the country to ensure enhanced surveillance is in place. Any new cases will be identified quickly and responded to.
“It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination and we’d like to thank everyone involved in this effort so far.
“It’s vital that people are aware of the signs and symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops symptoms.
“The risk to the wider population remains low and UKHSA continues to work with partners to identify contacts and offer necessary treatment.”
Read more from Sky News:
Justin Timberlake arrest footage released
Exact amount your bills go up next month
Meanwhile, more than 400 people were queuing outside the University of Kent campus clinic waiting to receive vaccines by the time it opened at 9am on Saturday.
Students close to the front told the PA news agency that they had been waiting since 7am, and one said they had waited since around 5am.
Maria, who studies drama and theatre, told the outlet “I think all of us are quite worried at the moment”, before adding: “It’s important to make sure we protect ourselves because obviously there’s been some deaths and people in hospital.”
It comes as Kent County Council’s director of public health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, speculated on three “rough” scenarios over the next four weeks.
At a briefing on Friday, he said the “most likely” scenario would see people travelling off campus outside Kent and then spreading the bacteria to others within a household.
