Over 300 burglaries in 11 months in Lincoln university campus zone, study finds

Over 6,000 people living in and around the Scunthorpe have signed up to donate convalescent plasma after having coronavirus.

This comes as NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is appealing for more potential plasma donors ahead of an upcoming third trial.

Convalescent plasma is the antibody-rich plasma of people who’ve had coronavirus. This can be transfused into people who are struggling to develop their own immune response.

NHSBT wants more people in the area hitting the 28-day recovery mark to sign up.

Over 30 donations have so far been taken at the Scunthorpe donor centre at Berkeley House at Berkeley Business Centre on Doncaster Road, which opened in December last year.

People can register to donate online here and can donate 28 days after they’ve recovered from coronavirus.

The Lincolnshire centre is located at Berkeley House at Berkeley Business Centre on Doncaster Road in Scunthorpe. | Photo: NHSBT

NHSBT is collecting the plasma for new trials for older people or those with cancer to treat them early in the course of the infection.

Two earlier trials have now stopped for data analysis. The upcoming third trial’s focus will be on those with low immune systems and all donations are tested for COVID antibodies.

The NHS trials of convalescent plasma are the largest randomised controlled trials for this treatment of COVID-19.

Professor Dave Roberts, Associate Medical Director for Blood Donation at NHSBT, said: “More people than ever are now able to help – the time to donate is now.

“We especially need donations from people in Scunthorpe who’ve had hospital care. Men who had hospital care are around six times more likely to have the high antibody levels which might save lives.

“We have completed two trials and analysis is ongoing. We now need to collect plasma for further planned clinical studies. We’re particularly looking at high risk groups such as the elderly and people with cancer.

“Donations are vital to the ongoing lifesaving research, which gives us a better understanding of how we can best treat patients with COVID-19 and help prevent deaths in the future.”

There have been 206 new coronavirus cases and 15 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday.

The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 170 new cases in Lincolnshire, 18 in North Lincolnshire and 18 in North East Lincolnshire.

On Tuesday, 14 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire and one in North Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

NHS England reported five new local hospital deaths on Tuesday at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust.

On Tuesday, national cases increased by 20,089 to 3,689,746 while deaths rose by 1,631 to 100,162 — surpassing the grim milestone of 100,000 deaths since the pandemic started.

Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate up to January 25 according to the government’s dashboard:

Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Jan 18 to Jan 25. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite

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Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday, January 26

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

46,628 cases (up 206)

• 32,611 in Lincolnshire (up 170)
• 7,172 in North Lincolnshire (up 18)
• 6,845 in North East Lincolnshire (up 18)

1,802 deaths (up 15)

• 1,293 from Lincolnshire (up 14)
• 276 from North Lincolnshire (up one)
• 233 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)

of which 1,071 hospital deaths (up five)

• 658 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up five)
• 33 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 379 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)

3,689,746 UK cases, 100,162 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.

Thousands of ancient artefacts, some of which date back as early as the Iron Age, have been discovered near Spalding.

The unique finds were spotted along the route of the Spalding Western Relief Road, including a medieval thimble and a Roman quern stone.

It came as a result of construction on the northern section of the £100m relief road, which was approved in 2019.

Allan Archaeology were contracted to research the site and locate any artefacts, with some dating to the Saxon period and others even going as far back as the Iron Age.

A Roman quern stone that would have been used to grind grain to make flour.

Topsoil was removed from the area before excavating and cleaning what was dug up and found, leaving scientists to study all the samples to create a picture of our local environment.

Among the notable finds were a Roman quern stone used for grinding grain to make flour, a medieval knife handle made from bone, and a thimble made of copper alloy.

Ian Marshman, historic environment officer for Lincolnshire County Council, said the highlight was an unusual Roman oven, known as a tannur.

One of the finds was a replica Roman oven. | Photo: Worcestershire County Council

Dr Marshman said:”Whilst archaeologists have previously found small parts of these Roman ovens before, this is thought to be one of the best preserved examples ever found in Britain.

“The archaeology team hopes to reconstruct the oven’s shape and analyse its ash to better understand how it was used and what might have been cooked in it – giving us a fascinating insight into Roman industry and trade.

The base of the Roman oven that was found.

Dr Marsham continued: “The team found evidence for activity again in the medieval period, once the area was no longer under water.

“Some pottery from the Saxon period was also found, which could mean that people returned to the site even earlier.”

A medieval thimble was found, though it has a few signs of wear and tear over the years.

Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways at the council, said: “When building a new road, it’s not just about constructing bridges and laying tarmac.

“First and foremost, it’s really important to understand and protect the area’s heritage so future generations can learn from and understand its rich history.

“It’s truly amazing when you stop and think about what’s underneath the ground below your feet.”