South Kesteven continues to record fewer Covid-19 cases, reflecting national trends.

The district today recorded 12 cases today, compared with 9 cases on both Monday and Tuesday, but with the numbers being well-down on last week, the 7-day rate continues to fall significantly.

The district recorded 132 cases in the week to yesterday, compared with 143 cases in the week to Tuesday and 158 in the week to Monday.

The 7-day case rate for South Kesteven is now 92.7 cases per 100,000, just above the England average of 91.4, which is also falling rapidly.

The district's 12 cases gives a grand total of 6843 since the start of the pandemic- about one in 20 of South Kesteven's population.

The number of recorded deaths today remained at 255 since the start of the pandemic- about one-in-600 of South Kesteven's population.

Overall, there have been 181 new coronavirus cases and six COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday — compared to 217 cases and four deaths last Wednesday.

The government's COVID-19 dashboard recorded 106 new cases in Lincolnshire, 42 in North East Lincolnshire and 33 in North Lincolnshire.

On Wednesday, five deaths were registered in Lincolnshire and one in North East Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

NHS England reported five new local hospital deaths on Wednesday, three at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and two at at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust.

On Wednesday, national cases increased by 6,385 to 4,194,785, while deaths rose by 315 to 123,783.

In local news, Lincolnshire's Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have reassured that vaccination sites remain open across the county after concerns of jab supply.

The CCG said: "All of our sites will remain open and continue to offer the vaccination. Not all sites are operational every day of the week as they are dependent on demand for vaccinations and supply of the vaccines."

Vaccine stock is controlled nationally, so each site runs on the supply it receives. Supply that arrives on any given day is administered the next day.

North East Lincolnshire's infection rate is on the rise as two Grimsby factory workers have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Hilton Seafood confirmed two staff members of the 300 overall died after testing positive for COVID-19 and were treated at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.

This comes as North East Lincolnshire's infection rate has risen over the past week, placing the authority third place in Greater Lincolnshire and above the England average, as of Monday.

Since Monday, six of the nine Greater Lincolnshire districts have seen a fall in their infection rates, with Boston remaining at the same rate since February 26.

North Lincolnshire and East Lindsey have seen small increases in their infection rates but are two of the lowest rates across Greater Lincolnshire.

Both Greater Lincolnshire and England's rate of infections have fallen, but our region still remains above the national average, with 122 cases per 100,000 people.

In national news, the Chancellor has revealed his 2021 Budget which includes extensions to the furlough scheme and stamp duty relief, as well as increases in Universal Credit and National Living Wage.

Rishi Sunak said in the House of Commons: "Coronavirus has caused one of the largest most comprehensive and sustained economic shocks this country has ever faced."

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace absences due to illness fell during 2020, official figures reveal, as pandemic restrictions helped some workers dodge their colleagues' coughs and colds.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the UK's sickness absence rate declined from 1.9% to 1.8% last year – the lowest level since its records began in 1995, when the rate was 3.1%.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday, March 3

8,109 in North Lincolnshire (up 33)

299 from North Lincolnshire (no change)

41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)

427 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up three)

4,194,785 UK cases, 123,783 deaths