South Holland's Covid case rate coming down

The Covid case rate in South Holland is now starting to come down –but the district still suffers from one of the UK’s highest levels.

There have been 82 cases confirmed in the last seven days in South Holland. That’s down 26.8% on the previous week.

The case rate in the district is 103.1 per 100,000 people – down from 125.2 a week earlier.

That’s still the 15th highest figure for any area in the country – and more than double the national rate of 44.

The infection rate is worst among adults aged 35-39.

Free twice-weekly lateral flow tests are now going to be offered to everyone ahead of further lockdown relaxation.

The lateral flow testing kits – which can give results in up to 30 minutes – are due to be available from Friday.

People will be able to order them online to be received in the post or pick them up from pharmacies - while workplaces will be able to offer them too.

That’s on top of community testing centres and the tests being carried out in schools and colleges.

Figures released by Public Health England last week show that 50,296 people in South Holland had received a dose of the vaccine by March 28. The jabs continued to be administered over the Easter weekend.

Allied Health South Lincolnshire said that about 90% of over-50s have already now had at least one dose of the jab.