Martin Hill: Standing up for health

There have been 41 new coronavirus cases and no COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday — down from 67 cases and two deaths last Wednesday.

The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 21 new cases in Lincolnshire, 11 in North East Lincolnshire and nine in North Lincolnshire.

On Wednesday, -2 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire and none in Northern Lincolnshire. These figures include 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 has reported no new local hospital deaths at the four Greater Lincolnshire health trusts.

On Wednesday, national cases increased by 2,491 to 4,378,305, while deaths rose by 38 to 127,161.

In local news, more than a third of call-outs for Lincolnshire Police assistance are related to mental health issues, as the force has seen spikes in suicide rates affecting young people disproportionately.

This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple lockdowns across the UK, with Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Chris Haward expecting further increases in mental health reports as the county leaves lockdown.

Since Monday, Greater Lincolnshire’s average infection rate has fallen, compared to the England average that has seen a small increase.

Boston, North Lincolnshire, South Kesteven and Lincoln City have seen small spikes since Monday, with North Kesteven remaining the same and the other districts noticing a reduction.

Boston has the 8th highest infection rate in the UK currently.

Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates up to April 14, according to the government dashboard:

Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Apr 7 to Apr 14. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite

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Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday, April 14

Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.

58,813 cases (up 41)

• 40,956 in Lincolnshire (up 21)
• 9,254 in North Lincolnshire (up nine)
• 8,603 in North East Lincolnshire (up 11)

2,182 deaths (no change)

• 1,611 from Lincolnshire (down two)
• 303 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
• 268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)

of which 1,302 hospital deaths (no change)

• 810 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
• 41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 450 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)

4,378,305 UK cases, 127,161 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 Lincoln-based tech CEO has been included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for technology.

Leo Scott Smith was recognised by Forbes for his work as CEO of Tended, the Lincoln-based tech firm which has famously pushed boundaries with live-saving technology.

He set up Tended at just 22-years-old back in 2017, with the vision of putting an end to avoidable injuries and deaths in a workplace environment.

Since its inception, Tended has expanded massively and now has offices in London and China, as well as right here in Lincoln.

Leo was also included in The Lincolnite’s 2019 30 Under 30 list for Lincolnshire after the launch of his Tended Protect product, a wrist-worn device that detects danger in the workplace.

Leo Scott Smith is the CEO of Tended, based in Lincoln.

It was during a charity visit to Nepal where Leo first had the idea for his technology, realising that if he were to be in danger, he may not be found.

This prompted the beginning of Tended and the subsequent Tended Protect wristband, which can call for help in case of an emergency, and even sends GPS locations to trusted contacts.

In 2020 he continued to innovate and create, launching a vibrating wrist strap that can sense when someone comes within a pre-set distance of you, helping businesses to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If staff breach a minimum separation distance, their wearable will vibrate to notify them to move away.

Now his efforts have been recognised even further, with famous clients such as Rolls Royce, Network Rail and Siemens all using his company’s technology.

Speaking about his inclusion in the Forbes list, Leo said: “It’s really great to be recognised for such a highly acclaimed award. It’s a huge achievement and a testament to the team at Tended as without them, the award would not have been possible.”

Lincolnshire’s Police Chief Constable says lockdown rule enforcement and relaxing COVID restrictions are the main challenges the force has at the moment, especially with a high demand for holidaying in the summer in coastal areas.

This comes as between 45 and 50 coronavirus breaches are reported each day to Lincolnshire Police.

Chris Haward became the new Chief Constable for Lincolnshire on December 19, 2020, moving his role as East Midlands Deputy Chief Constable, and replacing Bill Skelly who retired.

CC Haward said: “We’re now planning for June 21 [when further restrictions are lifted], and what that might mean to our resources and our resilience.

“We know for the east coast it’s mainly going to be people holidaying in the UK this year, and probably for next year as well, that the demand for holiday homes and caravans across the east coast is huge.

“We’re expecting a real rise in the population through the summer months. So that’s definitely a challenge for us.”

He added: “When we first started COVID enforcement, we were getting between 12 and 15 calls per day about COVID breaches, we are now averaging over 45 to 50 per day. So that’s definitely a big demand on us as we come into the summer months.

“It will be about antisocial behaviour and public order and rowdiness, particularly in our coastal towns.”

Lincolnshire Police handed out eight fines after three house parties in the Ermine area of Lincoln, on the same evening COVID lockdown restrictions eased for outdoor hospitality and non-essential retail shops reopened.

CC Haward said: “I urge people to abide by the roadmap that the government have set out. If we if we take our time, and we do it properly, then we’re more likely to come out of lockdown, and will be able to remain out of lockdown.

“We’ve come this far and for the sake of another two months, let’s just hold on to the discipline that we’ve had.”

He reflects fondly on his first 100 days in the role: “It’s been fantastic. Because of the time that I’ve joined with leading up to March and the new financial year, all the planning has given me an opportunity to go out and meet a good proportion of my officers and get out to some of the stations.”

Lincolnshire Police issued 367 COVID-19 enforcement fines, including those under local lockdowns, between March and December last year.

Eight fines were for breaches of face coverings regulations and another eight for international travel regulations.