South Kesteven has recorded more than 100 cases of Covid-19 over the weekend, but the weekly rate has still dropped by more than a third in seven days.

There were also no deaths with Covid recorded in the district.

The 107 cases follows on from 41 positive tests on Friday, 40 on Thursday, 55 cases last weekend and 11 the weekend before.

The current weekly infection rate of 199.7 cases per 100,000 people is the lowest since mid-July and more than a third lower than last Sunday's 311.4.

This compares with 231.1 cases per 100,000 on Friday, 231.8 on Thursday, 311.4 last Sunday and 323.3 the Sunday before.

With its fluctuations, South Kesteven now has a lower 7-day infection rate than Lincolnshire's 274 and lower than England's 265, both of which have been far more consistent than the district and are also heading back down.

Overall, since the pandemic started, South Kesteven has recorded 12,480 positive tests - about one case for each 12 residents. Again, this is better than the England average, which is about one case for every 9 people.

The figures come amid much testing, currently running around 1.1 million a day or 7 million over a week nationally.

There were no Covid-related deaths recorded over the weekend, but there was one on Wednesday, one last Monday, with three others earlier in the month.

The five September fatalities compare with ten in August.

Prior to the August and September deaths, South Kesteven reported such fatalities on May 5 and March 25, making it 15 Covid related deaths in over 5 months.

It means since the pandemic started, official government figures record 285 fatalities in South Kesteven within 28 days of a positive test for Covid-19.

The total amounts to 199 deaths per 100,000, which is equivalent to one fatality for just over 500 residents.

The England average is one death for just under 500 residents.

However, despite the encouraging figures in South Kesteven, staff have been redeployed to support Lincolnshire's hospital wards in response to increasing COVID-19 hospitalisations, as more than 4,000 cases were confirmed across the region last week.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust non-clinical staff are being relocated on an "entirely voluntary basis" as part of the national response to coronavirus and would "ensure we can look after our patients in periods of high demand," a spokesperson said.

"Staff do not work clinically; they help support with tasks such as meal provision, which allows our clinical staff more time to focus on patient treatment," they said.

"All of our staff follow strict infection prevention control measures and health and safety guidelines; this includes the proper and correct use of PPE and other key measures such as hand-washing and testing.

"Staff that are redeployed are trained and supported in their roles and we have had lots of positive feedback from our non-clinical staff who have appreciated the opportunity to support clinical colleagues."

There were 4,092 cases of coronavirus confirmed last week in Greater Lincolnshire, 14% higher than last week's 3,587.

Government figures over the weekend showed 571 new cases in Lincolnshire, 142 in North East Lincolnshire and 238 in North Lincolnshire.

Two further deaths of Greater Lincolnshire residents were confirmed in the government figures, putting the weekly total at 21 – six more than last week's 15.

NHS data, meanwhile, is not updated over the weekend, leaving the weekly deaths total at 12.

The vaccine is being rolled out to teenagers aged 12-15 from today, while the government also looks to launch its booster jab programme.

Children will be vaccinated mainly within schools, although the jabs will also be available at drop-in centres.

The booster jab meanwhile will be offered to all adults over 50 across the UK with eligibility including younger adults with health conditions and front-line health and social care workers.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Sunday, September 19

16,943 in North Lincolnshire (up 238)

316 from North Lincolnshire (no change)

44 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)

494 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)