The 7-day infection rate has stabilised at low levels in Rutland, despite 'concerns' over much higher figures in Melton.

Over the past week, published government figures say the 7-day infection rate in the county remains at 20 cases per 100,000, based on 8 cases.

This compares with the England average of 21.2 and Melton's infection rate of 52.7 cases, putting it eighth in a national league table.

Mike Sandys, director of public health, Leicestershire County Council, said: "Although we're still looking at relatively small numbers – around 30 cases over a seven-day period – this is shifting Melton up the rankings."

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

A revision in the numbers now gives 1679 recorded cases in Rutland, compared with 1683 yesterday- 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 gone 5 weeks without a Covid-19 related death.

The district has recorded a further drop in its 7- day infection rate.

But as above, a change today in how the numbers are calculated, prevent a meaningful comparison with yesterday.

The published 7-day infection rate now stands at 11.2 cases per 100,000, based on 16 recorded cases.

This is about half the England average of 21.2 cases per 100,000 today and less than half the 25.3 South Kesteven's 7-day case rate was a week ago.

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

Whilst the figures fluctuate, the latest figures remain among the lowest since last year and around 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 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 11 days since a COVID-related death was recorded in Greater Lincolnshire, and the government dashboard has removed 85 additional cases in Greater Lincolnshire due to a new system of measurements.

In total, national cases increased by 2,412 to 4,450,392, while deaths rose by seven to 127,691.

In national news, it will be a few days before the government can draw any conclusions about whether to deviate from England's current roadmap out of lockdown, the prime minister has said.

The government plans to end the remaining legal limits on social contact in England from June 21.

A further 106,733 people in the UK had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine on Monday, taking the total to 36,811,405.

Another 259,049 received their second jab on Monday, meaning 20,546,452 have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the UK.