South Kesteven recorded just three cases of Covid-19 compared with eight yesterday.

However, the 7-day infection rate has continued to rise considerably, though it remains below the national average.

There were no deaths recorded today but the first fatality in nearly 6 weeks at the weekend puts the district's death tally on 267, equivalent to about one-in-600 residents, which is better than the England average of one-in-500 residents.

Today's three cases, compares with three two weeks ago. A direct comparison with last Tuesday is not possible due to a revision in the figures.

South Kesteven now has a 7-day infection rate of 19.7 cases per 100,000, up on the 18.3 for yesterday and 12.6 on Friday and the 11.2 last Tuesday, but well down on the 25.3 cases per 100,000 two weeks ago.

Whilst the figures fluctuate, the latest figures remain among the lowest since last year and less than a twentieth of figures earlier in the year when the weekly rate exceeded 400 cases per 100,000.

The England average is a more stable 22.5 cases per 100,000 population, though of course it has substantially fallen in recent months.

The grand total of 7632 cases in South Kesteven since the start of the pandemic is equivalent to just over one case per 20 residents. The national average is about one-in-15.

Overall, there have been 20 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and no COVID-related deaths on Tuesday.

The government's COVID-19 dashboard recorded 18 new cases in Lincolnshire, one in North Lincolnshire and one in North East Lincolnshire.

No further coronavirus deaths were registered on Tuesday. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county. NHS England also reported no new hospital deaths.

National cases have increased by 2,493 to 4,467,310, while deaths have risen by 15 to 127,739.

In local news today, health bosses have said there is "still work to be done" in South Holland as it shares in more than £2.6 million to help tackle higher-than-average coronavirus rates.

The district was in one of nine areas across England to be selected for a new pilot which will explore alternative accommodation, translation help and better transport to further support those who have to self-isolate. It will share a £2,606,000 fund with Peterborough and Fenland.

Health bosses are also "relaxed" and "unconcerned" about fans travelling to London on Sunday to support Lincoln City in the EFL play-off finals.

The team will be playing Blackpool in the League One match, which is one of three to be played this weekend.

More than 9,200 fans have signed a petition to get more tickets made available ahead of the match and there are also reports supporters will travel to the capital to watch their team from local pubs and other locations.

Nationally, councils in the areas hit hardest by the Indian variant have denied travel restrictions after new lockdown guidance appeared to urge people not to travel in or out of those areas.

MPs and opponents have accused the measure of "local lockdowns by stealth" and called for it to be withdrawn. They've asked for clarity over the guidance.

However, councils have said people can still travel to their areas, with Leicester City Council blaming the issue on "incorrect" government advice issued.

Meanwhile, government advisor Dr Adam Kurcharski, a Spi-M member and assistant professor in the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the BBC today that the June 21 easing was "not inevitable".

The emergency of the Indian variant has caused concern that the Prime Minister's roadmap out of lockdown could be delayed ,and Dr Kucharski said "we need to keep all options on the table."

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday, May 25

60,472 cases (up 20)

41,997 in Lincolnshire (up 18)

9,735 in North Lincolnshire (up one)

8,740 in North East Lincolnshire (up one)

2,194 deaths (no change)

1,619 from Lincolnshire (no change)

307 from North Lincolnshire (no change)

268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)

of which 1,308 hospital deaths (no change)

815 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)

41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)

1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)

451 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change) 4,464,900 UK cases, 127,724 deaths