Eight Covid-19 cases were recorded in South Kesteven today and again no deaths.

The number compares with 8 on Thursday but there has been a small increase in the 7-day infection rate.

In the week to today, South Kesteven has recorded 67 cases, compared with 65 in the week to yesterday and 83 in the week to last Friday.

This gives a 7-day rate of 47, which is well above the England average of 28.4.

In total, 7481 cases have been recorded in South Kesteven since the start of the pandemic. This is about one-in-20 of the population.

No deaths were recorded today, but on Tuesday the district record its first Covid-linked fatality in more than 3 weeks.

The total of 266 since the start of the pandemic means that around one-in-600 South Kesteven residents will have died withing 28 days of a positive test for the virus.

This is better than the England average of one-in-500 residents.

Overall, there have been 285 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and eight COVID-related deaths so far this week – a 7% drop in cases and one less death from the previous week.

The government's COVID-19 dashboard on Friday recorded 32 new cases in Lincolnshire, eight in North Lincolnshire and three in North East Lincolnshire.

On April 16, three deaths were registered in Lincolnshire and none in Northern Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

NHS England reported two hospitals this week so far, compared to none this time last week.

On Friday, national cases increased by 2,596 to 4,383,732, while deaths rose by 34 to 127,225.

In local news, Lincolnshire health bosses expect COVID-19 cases to rise in our region as lockdown is eased, but are optimistic that if numbers are kept low enough, then people will be free to enjoy the summer.

Andy Fox, Deputy Director of Public Health at Lincolnshire County Council, said the lifting of coronavirus restrictions this week had not caused any specific concerns yet.

Since Wednesday, Greater Lincolnshire has again seen a decrease in its infection rates overall, against an increase nationally.

All districts have seen a fall in their rates, except small increases in North Lincolnshire and South Holland. Lincoln has stayed the same and has the lowest rate in the region.

Boston has the highest infection rate of COVID-19 in Greater Lincolnshire and is ranked 9th in the UK.

England's R number has dropped slightly to between 0.7 and 1 according to the latest data this week. This means for every 10 people infected with COVID-19, they will pass it on to between seven and 10 others.

The new Indian variant of the COVID virus that's been detected in the UK has all the hallmarks of a very dangerous virus.

It has two new significant mutations in the spike protein that help it infect cells and evade the immune system.

People are "likely" to need a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine within 12 months of getting the first two, Pfizer's chief executive has said.

Dr Albert Bourla said a booster jab could be necessary "somewhere between six and 12 months" after the second one – and every year thereafter.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Friday, April 16

58,919 cases (up 43)

41,028 in Lincolnshire (up 32)

8,616 in North East Lincolnshire (up three)

2,185 deaths (up three)

1,613 from Lincolnshire (up three)

268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)

of which 1,302 hospital deaths (no change)

810 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)

1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)