The 7-day case rate for Rutland is trending upwards again after 8 positive tests were recorded in the county today.

The eight compares with six yesterday, 29 over the weekend, five last Tuesday and eight the Tuesday before.

The county's 7-day infection rate remains well below the national average and Rutland hasn't recorded a death with Covid-19 since April.

Rutland today has a 7-day infection rate of 180.3 cases per 100,000, which compares with 162.8 yesterday 102.7 last Tuesday and the England average of 239.3.

However, there has been a large increase in testing recently, reaching topping 1.1 million yesterday and exceeding 7.2 million over the week.

England's 7-day case rate has crept up in recent weeks, whilst in Rutland it has fluctuated at low levels, at one stage recently amongst the lowest in the country, before increasing strongly in recent weeks.

Rutland has now recorded 1865 cases recorded since the start of the pandemic- about one case for every 25 residents. This compares with the England average of almost one-in-15.

The number of deaths remains at 65, the same as yesterday- about one for every 600 residents, which compares with the national average of one-in-500 residents.

Rutland's last recorded death was on the last Wednesday of April, the only death with Covid-19 recorded in Rutland during April and so far in May, June and July.

Meanwhile, in Lincolnshire, the 7-day case rate for South Kesteven has further increased with a whopping 44 'cases' recorded in the district today.

However, no more deaths were recorded and the 7-day infection rate is well below half the England average.

Today's 44 positive test results in South Kesteven follow the 31 recorded yesterday, 44 recorded over the weekend and 14 last Tuesday and 6 the Tuesday before that.

The 7-day infection rate now stands at 96.9 cases per 100,000 population- the highest since April. But the district's rate is less than half the England average of 239.3 cases per 100,000.

This seven day rate compares with 93.4 yesterday, 79.3 on Sunday, 48.4 last Tuesday and 38.6 the previous Tuesday.

The England average 7-day rate has steadily risen in recent weeks, while the South Kesteven figure has tended to fluctuate at a much reduced level before creeping upwards.

No deaths were recorded again and the number since the start of the pandemic remains at 270. The last fatality in the district was six weeks ago and the last before that, was also six weeks prior.

Overall, there have been 500 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday as more rule relaxations are announced by government.

The government's COVID-19 dashboard on Tuesday reported 240 new cases in Lincolnshire, 191 in North East Lincolnshire and 69 in North Lincolnshire. It is the highest daily case number since January 4 when 501 cases were confirmed. This is 95% higher than last Tuesday's 257 cases.

In positive news, the figures showed no further deaths in the government or NHS England data today. It is almost a month since the last reported hospital death in Lincolnshire itself.

Nationally, cases increased by 28,773 to 4,958,868 while deaths rose by 37 to 128,268.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday announced a raft of changes to the rules around coronavirus, including the end of social distancing and the requirement to wear masks indoors.

On Tuesday, government leaders continued the trend, with health secretary Sajid Javid revealing that close contacts of COVID-positive cases will not have to self-isolate if they have been double-jabbed, or are under 18, from August 16.

Instead, they will be asked to take a PCR test and only need to isolate if they themselves are found to be positive.

Shortly afterwards, education secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed that the use of COVID "bubbles" in schools was coming to a halt at the end of summer term.

Pupils will also no longer need to wear face masks, socially distance or stagger the start and finish times.

The responsibility for testing pupils will be transferred to the NHS Test and Trace system.

In universities there will no longer be any restrictions on in-person teaching and learning unless the students themselves are advised to isolate or affected by local outbreaks.

"We know from our own experience and evidence that children are better off in classrooms with their friends and teachers," said Mr Williamson.

"This is hugely valuable for their well being as well as for their education."

"With the ending of these restrictions children and young people will be able to get back on with their education and lives while we continue to manage this pandemic," he added.