Last legal highs shop closed in Lincoln

There have been a record 374 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday, with a further four deaths reported too.

The latest UK coronavirus dashboard figures as of Tuesday evening showed 223 new cases in Lincolnshire, 59 in North Lincolnshire and 92 in North East Lincolnshire.

It means there have been 5,960 cases confirmed in October alone.

NHS figures reported no new COVID-related deaths at hospitals across Greater Lincolnshire.

The government’s coronavirus dashboard, which includes those both in and out of hospitals and those of residents in hospitals outside the county, however reported the deaths of two residents each in Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.

Nationally, cases increased by 24,701 to 942,275, while deaths jumped by 310 to 45,675.

A chart showing Lincolnshire’s case numbers up to October 28.

Lincolnshire is currently still on the medium (tier 1) level for the the new three-tier lockdown system of COVID-19 risk, which means it has no extra restrictions on top of the nation-wide ones.

A meeting of county leaders on Wednesday decided to continue with the status quo, but warned they were alert to any changes in numbers.

However, it has now been confirmed that the whole of Nottinghamshire will now go into Tier 3, not the few districts and city region previously announced.

It means Lincolnshire will be surrounded by Tier 3 areas, which will impact on county residents’ lives.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire for Wednesday, October 28

10,552 cases (up 374)

• 6,736 in Lincolnshire (up 223)
• 2,072 in North Lincolnshire (up 59)
• 1,744 in North East Lincolnshire (up 92)

461 deaths (up four)

• 313 from Lincolnshire (up two)
• 95 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
• 47 from North East Lincolnshire (up two)

of which 301 hospital deaths (no change)

• 160 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
• 6 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 134 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)

917,575 UK cases, 45,365 deaths

DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF the latest update. postcode data includes deaths not in healthcare facilities or in hospitals outside authority boundaries.

A newly qualified driver accused of causing a triple fatal crash admitted to a jury on Wednesday that she should not have driven with a passenger sitting in the footwell behind the front seat.

Kasey Boulton, giving evidence on the second day of her trial at Lincoln Crown Court, told the jury that the fatal collision occurred as she was driving from her home in the village of Welton towards Lincoln.

The three victims of the fatal crash: Ricky (left) Joby (centre) and Aiden (right).

Her Vauxhall Astra was designed to hold four passengers but she had five inside, with Ricky Sharp sitting in the footwell behind the front passenger seat.

Boulton said: “Obviously it was wrong. I shouldn’t do it. I didn’t think about the consequences. I was conscious that he was there and he shouldn’t be.

“I didn’t say to him to get out. I wish I had. I don’t know why I didn’t.

“At the time I didn’t think Ricky was in danger.”

She told the jury that she was confident she was driving at about 50mph out of the village of Welton towards the A15 when the collision occurred.

“I was familiar with the road. I’d driven on it before. It was one of only two roads out of the village.”

She told the jury she has no memory of driving along a straight stretch of road immediately before her car lost control and hit a tree.

“I don’t remember the impact or anything else before the accident.

“I can’t remember the car going off centre but I had a feeling of not travelling straight.”

She was asked by her barrister Michael Cranmer-Brown “Did you think at the time that your driving had caused the collision?” She replied “No”.

Boulton, who only passed her driving test a few weeks before the collision, added: “I consider myself to be a safe driver. Overall I felt confident to drive but I wasn’t experienced.”

Boulton, 19, is alleged to have hit a tree after losing control of her car as she drove along Heath Lane in Welton, near Lincoln.

The jury has heard that three passengers Ricky Sharp,17, Aiden Sawyer, 17, and Joby John Scrimshaw, 14, were killed in the collision which involved no other vehicle.

Miss Boulton and her two other passengers were also seriously injured.

The prosecution allege Boulton’s car was only designed to hold four passengers but at the time of crash had five with Ricky Sharp sitting in the footwell behind the front passenger.

Ian Way, prosecuting, told a jury that the overloading of the car caused the vehicle to be unbalanced which contributed to Boulton losing control.

Boulton, 19, of Heath Close, Welton, denies three charges of causing death by dangerous driving as a result of the incident on March 25, 2019.

The trial continues.

Students and staff at the University of Lincoln have been advised to toggle off the contact tracing feature of the NHS Test and Trace app, specifically when on campus.

The University of Lincoln said on Tuesday, October 27 that 176 students and staff have tested positive for coronavirus, although this is less than 1% of its population.

This includes students living in a flat together, who used quirky post-it note signs in their windows to let people know they are self-isolating.

Lincoln is currently in the government’s (medium) tier 1 and the University of Lincoln is operating its own test and trace system in liaison with Lincolnshire Public Health to supplement the national NHS system.

The university sent an email to students about its Test and Trace service on Wednesday morning. It said staff and students are encouraged to download the NHS Test and Trace app, but are advised to “toggle off the contact tracing function when on campus”,

It said this is because they will be notified of any exposure through the university process and it can “notify our community more quickly and accurately”.

A University of Lincoln spokesperson said: “Our test and trace system was developed with Public Health Lincolnshire and it enables us to be much more responsive and accurate in identifying ‘close contacts’ through timetables and venue check-ins.”

Third year geography student Alex vented his anger to The Lincolnite about the recent email, saying: “It has made me feel quite angry, and makes me feel like they don’t quite understand the whole severity of the situation with coronavirus.

“I was asked on Monday to self-isolate through the app, and if I had turned the app off, then I could potentially be spreading coronavirus right now. I was in shock and disbelief when reading the email.”

Alex also claims that it is unclear on how to report a COVID case/infection through the university system, with “little guidance” provided on issues including around the “movement of deadlines” and “missing face-to-face lectures and seminars”.

The university has already published a detailed overview of the Test and Trace processes here, which students can log in to.

Within the FAQs it states to inform the personal tutor and school office (for students) or line manager (for staff) if they or anyone in their household develops coronavirus systems.

There is also a form to fill in to notify the University Test and Trace team.

Each academic college also has its own point of contact. They will contact any student that has been in a teaching bubble or other situation and come into close contact with someone showing symptoms or who has received a positive test result.

Those affected will receive a text message and email with details of what they are required to do, alongside links to support and other information.

Practical and emotional support for students who have to self-isolate is available here, including the delivery of a free care pack with food supplies.

A further six schools in Lincolnshire with positive cases of coronavirus have been added to the county council’s list on Wednesday.

Lincolnshire County Council said on October 28 that it is working with 99 schools and 11 nurseries with COVID-19 infections.

Caistor Yarborough Academy was removed from the list on Wednesday as it is no longer an active case with Public Health England.

Some schools have been on the list more than once. Also, when there is a positive result at a school, it is considered an active case for 14 days from the onset of the person’s symptoms. If there is another positive test at the school during that period, that 14 day period starts afresh.

The latest schools to be added to the council’s latest list are Bardney CE Primary School, Wragby Primary School, Linchfield Community Primary (Deeping St James), The Gainsborough Parish Church CE Primary School, Thomas Cowley High School (Spalding), which all remain open. YPLP in Lincoln has also been added to the list, but it is currently closed.

Hawthorn Tree School (Boston), Woodlands Academy (Spilsby), Springwell Alternative Academy (Grantham), St George’s Academy (Ruskington), Little Learners Pre-School (Lincoln) and YPLP (Lincoln) are the schools currently closed.

Tony McGinty, consultant in public health, said: “As of this Wednesday, Lincolnshire’s Health Protection Team is currently working with 99 schools that have had confirmed cases of coronavirus.

“All schools continue to report the situation to us and are taking action to limit the potential spread of the virus when schools return – this will mean some pupils and staff self-isolating as a precaution where necessary during half term. Because of the length of isolation periods involved this may affect return to school for some people.

“Like the rest of the country, Lincolnshire has seen case numbers rise in recent weeks, and an increasing number of schools affected.

“However, the majority of schools will fully open next week, and those affected are working really well to limit both the risk of the virus spreading and the impact on the pupils’ education.”

Schools with current confirmed cases (new in bold at the top):

• Bardney CE Primary School
• Wragby Primary School
• Linchfield Primary School, Deeping St James
• The Gainsborough Parish Church CE Primary School
• Thomas Cowley High School, Spalding
• YPLP, Lincoln (closed)
• Lincoln College
• Queen Elizabeth High School, Gainsborough
• Hackthorn Primary School
• Kesteven and Sleaford High School
• Lincoln Castle Academy
• Lincoln Carlton Academy
• Bluecoat Meres Academy, Grantham
• Kesteven and Grantham Girls School
• Barrowby Primary School
• Billingborough Primary School
• The Priory Academy LSST
• Priory Ruskin Academy, Grantham
• Boston College
• Hawthorn Tree School, Boston (closed)
• Haven High Academy, Boston
• Malcolm Sargent Primary School, Stamford
• St George’s Academy, Sleaford
• St Peter and St Paul Academy, Lincoln
• Kirkstone House School, Baston
• Stamford Endowed Schools
• Manor Leas Junior School, Lincoln
• St Hugh’s Catholic Primary, Lincoln
• Ermine Academy, Lincoln
• St Giles Academy, Lincoln
• Branston Community College Academy
• Grantham College
• Kelsey Primary School
• Birchwood Junior School, Lincoln
• Great Steeping Primary School, Spilsby
• Walton Academy, Grantham
• Woodlands Academy, Spilsby (closed)
• Skegness Academy
• Blyton Cum Laughton Primary School
• Castle Wood Academy, Gainsborough
• The King’s School, Grantham
• Westgate Academy, Lincoln
• William Farr School, Welton, Lincoln
• Sir William Robertson Academy, Welbourn, Lincoln
• Kisimul School Acacia Hall, Freisthorpe
• Leslie Manser Primary, Lincoln
• Lincoln St Christopher’s Special School
• Long Sutton Primary School
• Market Deeping Community Primary
• Springwell Alternative Academy, Grantham (closed)
• St Nicholas Primary, Boston
• Community Learning in Partnership, Gainsborough
• Grantham Preparatory International School
• Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Horncastle
• St Michael’s Primary School, Thorpe on the Hill
• University Academy Long Sutton
• Denton Primary School, Grantham
• Bridge House Independent School, Boston
• Charles Read Academy, Grantham
• De Aston School, Market Rasen
• The Lancaster School, Lincoln
• The St Sebastian Primary School, Grantham
• Waddington All Saints Academy
• Bourne Academy
• Claypole Primary School
• St George’s Academy, Ruskington (closed)
• Swinderby All Saints Primary School
• University Academy Holbeach
• Carre’s Grammar School, Sleaford
• Louth Academy
• Boston Grammar School
• Hartsholme Academy, Lincoln
• Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School
• Harlaxton Primary School, Grantham
• Holbeach Primary Academy
• Priory Pembroke Academy, Cherry Willingham
• Little Learners Pre-School, Lincoln (closed)
• The Deepings School
• Spalding High School
• Manor Farm Academy, North Hykeham
• Scampton Primary School
• Sutterton Fourfields Primary School, Boston
• St Botolph’s Primary School, Sleaford
• Fleet Wood Lane Primary School, Spalding
• King Edward VI Academy, Spilsby
• Kirkby on Bain Primary School
• Spalding Parish School
• The National Junior School, Grantham
• William Alvey School, Sleaford
• Barnes Wallis Academy, Tattershall
• Bourne Grammar School
• Spalding Academy
• Tedder County Primary School, Ashby de la Launde, Lincoln
• Alford Primary School
• Caistor Grammar School
• St Thomas CE Primary Academy, Boston
• White Wood’s Academy, Gainsborough
• Scotter Primary School
• Village pre-school at Manor Farm, North Hykeham

Public Health are also aware of the following 11 nurseries with positive cases:

• Town and Country Kiddies Nursery, Louth
• Seashells Nursery, Mablethorpe
• Angels Childcare, Lincoln
• Little Learners Nursery, Skegness
• Nutwood Day Nursery, Lincoln
• Clarence House Day Nursery, Grantham
• Little Acorns Day Nursery, Boston
• Elsaforde Nursery, Sleaford
• Sunflowers Nursery, Saxilby
• Mon Ami Day Nursery, Alford
• Young Tots Nursery, Lincoln

North East Lincolnshire

There are 31 schools, pre-schools/early years and other education settings with active cases in North East Lincolnshire, according to the latest available data provided on Monday, October 26.

North Lincolnshire

There have been at least seven schools with cases in North Lincolnshire since term restarted.

However, North Lincolnshire Council said it was unable to provide any data regarding schools in the region with coronavirus cases.