Rutland has recorded further falls in its 7-day infection rate, despite a few more cases of Covid-19 recorded todat than over the weekend.

England's smallest county recorded just one case of Coronavirus over the weekend, but there were 5 cases recorded today.

However, there were no deaths, with the last fatality recorded in the county about a fortnight ago.

In the week to today, 18 cases were recorded, compared with 21 in the week to yesterday, 28 in the week to Friday and 23 in the week to last Monday. A weekly low of 11 cases over 7 days was recorded just over a fortnight ago.

Rutland's seven day case rate, which now stands at 45.1 cases per 100,000, is just above the England average of 43.9 cases per 100,000, which has consistently fallen.

Overall, the county has recorded 1635 cases, which is equivalent to one for every 25 residents.

The number of those dying within 28 days of testing positive with Covid-19 remains at 61. As mentioned earlier, the county hasn't experienced a death with Covid in about a fortnight.

The county's death rate is about one-in-700 of the population, which is far better than the England average of one-in-500.

Meanwhile in Lincolnshire, Easter Monday has recorded a further drop in the 7-day case rate, adding hopes that a 'spike' of cases in South Kesteven may be ending.

After more than doubling in recent weeks, the number of cases recorded over a week have also headed back down.

In the week to yesterday, the number of cases over 7 days was 158, 179 in the week to Friday, 140 in the week to last Sunday and a low of 80 about three weeks ago.

Today, saw an encouraging 137 cases recorded over the past week, well down on recent days.

This gives a 7-day case rate of 96.2 cases per 100,000, which is more than double the England average of 43.9, which has been consistent in its decline.

Easter Monday saw 14 cases recorded, which compares with 15 over the weekend and 22 last Monday.

This gives a grand total of 7411- about one for every 20 residents.

The number of deaths remained at 265, with South Kesteven recording just lower than the England average of one death with Covid-19 for every 500 residents since the pandemic started.

Overall, there have been 81 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire, with two COVID-related deaths removed from the tally on Monday.

The government's COVID-19 dashboard on April 5 recorded 45 new cases in Lincolnshire, 23 in North Lincolnshire and 13 in North East Lincolnshire.

On Monday, one death was removed from the figures in Lincolnshire and another in North Lincolnshire. This figure includes deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

Fluctuations in data can occur for a variety of reasons including corrected data, misdiagnoses or wrong addresses.

NHS England, however, reported no changes to the hospital death figures across the region.

Nationally, cases increased by 2,762 to 4,362,150, while deaths rose by 26 to 126,862.

The latest figures for Greater Lincolnshire follow a 31% drop in cases and 35% fewer deaths last week.

The Prime Minister is due to announce that free twice-weekly lateral flow tests will be offered to everyone ahead of further lockdown relaxation.

Plans are also expected to include COVID-19 passports which will be used to allow attendance at mass-audience events including concerts and sports matches.

Boris Johnson should also confirm that next week England will move to step two of the roadmap out of lockdown — the reopening of non-essential retail from April 12.

This includes hairdressers, shops, zoos and pubs and restaurants serving people outside.