The operators of Grantham Hospital have reported their first death.

The United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust issued a statement as figures from Public Health England showed a sharp rise of confirmed cases in Lincolnshire.

A spokesperson for ULHT said: "Sadly we can confirm that a woman who was being cared for at one of our hospitals, and had tested positive for COVID-19, has died.

"The patient, who passed away yesterday, was in her eighties and had underlying health conditions.

"Her family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time."

The trust has declined to reveal which hospital the patient died in. It operates hospitals at Grantham, Boston, Lincoln and Louth.

Earlier today, Grantham Nub News reported the number of reported and confirmed cases in Lincolnshire had increased from 32 to 39.

The number of cases and deaths nationally also rose significantly.