South Kesteven has recorded a fatality with Covid-19 today, the first this week and the sixth of the month.

However, despite recording 71 cases, the 7-day rate has taken a dip back down.

Today's death follows on from one on Friday, one last Monday and one last weekend.

Before these latest, the previous Covid-related deaths in the district were reported on August 3, August 1, May 5 and March 25, giving us eight deaths in almost 5 months.

It means since the pandemic started, official government figures record 276 fatalities in South Kesteven within 28 days of a positive test for Covid-19.

The total amounts to 192.7 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.

The 71 positive tests today compares with 76 yesterday and 156 over the weekend. Last Tuesday saw 71 and there were 76 the Tuesday before that.

Today's weekly rate of 365.9 cases per 100,000 of population exceeds a peak of a month ago and is back to the rates of winter. However, the number of deaths has substantially fallen since then, which health experts credit on the vaccination programme.

With its fluctuations, South Kesteven and sharper increases, South Kesteven now has a higher 7-day infection rate than both Lincolnshire and England.

After falling from a peak of 329.6 cases per 100,000 last week to 318.4 on Wednesday, it rose to374.9 yesterday, exceeding the peak of 353.9 on Friday July 23, before falling back today.

This compares with an England average of 326.6 cases per 100,000 of population, whose growth has been slower but more consistent.

Overall, since the pandemic started, South Kesteven has recorded 10,966 positive tests - about one case for each 14 residents. Again, this is better than the England average, which is almost one case for every ten people.

The figures come amid much testing, currently running around 740,000 a day or 5.2 million over a week nationally.

Overall, across Greater Lincolnshire, there have been 446 cases of Coronavirus confirmed today, as health bosses are concerned about growing hospital patient numbers.

Government figures published on Monday afternoon showed 313 new cases in Lincolnshire, 65 in North East Lincolnshire and 68 in North Lincolnshire.

The figures showed five new deaths of Greater Lincolnshire residents with four in Lincolnshire and one in North East Lincolnshire.

Meanwhile, NHS figures show four further deaths, with one at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust facilities and three more at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals.

Nationally, cases increased by 30,838 to 6,555,200 while deaths rose by 174 to 131,854.

Latest figures show Lincoln has dropped out of the top 50 highest COVID infection rates in the country, recovering from a stint at the top of the list.

The city's infection rate is back to mid-July levels and just three Lincolnshire councils have marked increases this week.

Lincoln has a seven-day infection rate of 386.8 per 100,000 and sits 61st in the UK.

South Kesteven District Council was the only other authority to rise up the rankings when compared with the previous week, moving from 108th to 71st with an infection rate of 374.2 per 100,000 (yesterday).

A report before health bosses in the county tomorrow (Wednesday), however, will show an increase in COVID admissions to critical care.

The update to the COVID recovery programme before NHS Lincolnshire CCG says a recent spike in infections saw around 60% of cases linked to nightclubs and extended opening hours in pubs.

"The NHS in Lincolnshire is continuing to experience very high levels of patient demand, particularly for urgent and emergency care," said the report.

"Our GP Practices, Urgent Treatment Centres, A&E Departments, and East Midlands Ambulance Service are all reporting sustained pressures of a nature which is beyond that experienced during the depths of winter."

Documents show that between August 1 to August 18 the number of COVID-19 cases in Lincolnshire's hospitals increased from 33 to 62.

As of that point there had been 59,508 cases in Lincolnshire, with 877 deaths in the county's hospitals. However, 2,397 patients had been discharged.

Waiting lists remain high, however, bosses say they are working to tackle the issue.

"The system as a whole is responding in parallel to an increase in demand for all NHS services, COVID resurgence and this along with seasonal pressures, increasing self-isolation and IPC measures places an increased strain on all of our services and associated pathways of care, but we continue to work exceptionally well across the services to do the very best we can for our population and our staff," said the report.

Nationally, the Office for National Statistics said the UK recorded the highest weekly death total since March in the week to August 13.

The country saw 652 deaths in that time period, the highest since 800 fatalities were confirmed in the week to March 26.

Rising cases in popular holiday destinations such as Cumbria and Cornwall have also led to warnings for people to be extra cautious if visiting. It comes amid fears increasing infection rates could "put people off" visiting.

It comes as retail bosses have demanded more protection for shop workers who face abuse and assault on a regular basis.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday, August 24

14,649 in North Lincolnshire (up 68)

308 from North Lincolnshire (no change)

44 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)

477 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up three)

6,555,200 UK cases, 131,854 deaths