The 7-day case rate for South Kesteven has leapt over the weekend but despite 44 more cases recorded, there are still no more deaths.

The district has not recorded a single death in about about six weeks and the one before that was six weeks previously.

The figures come as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is today expected to reveal what Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted on July 19.

The increase in positive tests follow a major increase in testing nationally, exceeding 1.1 million on Friday and 7 million over the past week.

South Kesteven recorded 44 positive tests over the weekend compared with 27 last weekend and 15 the weekend before that.

The 7-day infection rate now stands at 79.3 cases per 100,000 population- the highest since April. But the district's rate is just above a third the England average of 208 cases per 100,000.

This seven day rate compares with 56.2 on Friday, 40 last Sunday, and 35.8 cases per 100,000 the Sunday before.

The England average 7-day rate has steadily risen in recent weeks, while the South Kesteven figure has tended to fluctuate at a much reduced level before creeping upwards.

No deaths were recorded again and the number since the start of the pandemic remains at 270. The last fatality in the district was six weeks ago and the last before that, was also six weeks prior.

Overall, there were almost 750 cases of coronavirus confirmed over the weekend, bringing last week's total tally to 2,373. The figure is a rise of 107% on the 778 at this point last week.

The government's COVID-19 dashboard over the weekend reported 314 new cases in Lincolnshire, 331 in North East Lincolnshire and 104 in North Lincolnshire.

In positive news, the figures showed no further deaths in the government or NHS England data today.  Both, however, reported one further death each earlier last week, meaning the tally is equal to last week.

Nationally, cases over the weekend increased 24,248 to 4,903,434 while deaths rose 15 to 128,222.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a press conference later on Monday where he expected to confirm he is confident the "majority" of COVID restrictions can be lifted on July 19.

The BBC has reported that he is expected to say people must "learn to live with this virus" and "exercise judgement".

However, some scientific experts, have urged some rules on wearing face masks to remain for now – despite suggestions they could become voluntary.

The government's housing secretary Newark MP Robert Jenrick said over the weekend that there would be an emphasis on "personal responsibility".

Nationally infections are rising still but hospital rates are not increasing at the same rate.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Sunday, July 4

65,292 cases (up 749) 44,319 in Lincolnshire (up 314)

10,710 in North Lincolnshire (up 331)

10,263 in North East Lincolnshire (up 104) 2,196 deaths (no change) 1,622 from Lincolnshire (no change)

302 from North Lincolnshire (no change)

272 from North East Lincolnshire (no change) of which 1,314 hospital deaths (no change) 816 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)

43 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)

1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)

454 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)

4,903,434 UK cases, 128,222 deaths