The 7-day infection rate remains at low levels in Rutland, with Melton recording a decline despite 'concerns' over its much higher figures.

Nationally, just 3 deaths were recorded and Rutland has yet to record a death this month.

Over the past week, published government figures say the 7-day infection rate in the county remains at 22.5 cases per 100,000, based on 9 cases.

This compares with the England average of 21 and Melton's infection rate of 41 cases per 100,000 (down from 52 yesterday), based on 21 recorded cases over the past week in the district, which has caused 'concern' amongst officials.

However, a further change today in how the figures have been calculated, prevent a direct comparison with daily figures.

A revision in the numbers now gives 1678 recorded cases in Rutland, compared with 1679 on Tuesday and 1683 on Monday- about one case for every 25 residents.

The number of deaths remains at 62- about one for every 600 residents..

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

Meanwhile, in Lincolnshire, South Kesteven has maintained a low 7-day infection rate, while the national death today increased by just 3 today.

South Kesteven has also gone more than 5 weeks without a Covid-19 related death.

Its published 7-day infection rate now stands at 11.9 cases per 100,000, based on 17 recorded cases (an increase on the 16 yesterday), according to the government's UK Covid-19 tracker.

This is just over half the England average of 21 cases per 100,000 today and less than half the 24.6 South Kesteven's 7-day case rate was a week ago.

South Kesteven now has a total of 7600 cases since the start of the pandemic, which compares with 7599 yesterday and 7612 on Monday.

Whilst the figures fluctuate, the latest 7-day figures remain among the lowest since last year and less than a thirtieth of figures earlier in the year when the weekly rate exceeded 400 cases per 100,000.

The number of deaths has remained at 266 for more than 5 weeks now. This means that around one-in-600 residents have died within 28 days of a positive test since the pandemic started, which compares with an England average of one-in-500.

Overall, there have been no COVID-related deaths recorded in Greater Lincolnshire in the last 12 days, with just 18 new coronavirus cases reported on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, national cases increased by 2,696 to 4,452,527, deaths rose by three to 127,694, with 70% of UK adults have now had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Since Monday, Greater Lincolnshire, Rutland, as well as England in general have seen a fall in infection rates despite the fast-spreading Indian variant.