Nic Dakin: Government needs to take responsibility for NHS crisis, not blame others

Lincoln could be in discussions over tier 2 (high) restrictions by the weekend, health bosses have said.

Lincolnshire County Council’s public health officials are advising that the city — at least — could be put into a higher tier as numbers continue to rise across the county.

Lincoln’s rate of infection per 100,000 of the population alone rose from 154.1 on October 16 to 213.5 on October 23, just above the England average of 212.5.

The city has had 1,063 cases since the pandemic began, with the number on Monday increasing by 59.

How cases have increased in the city of Lincoln up to October 26.

On Monday, 346 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire, pushing October’s total to more than 5,000.

The county’s Outbreak Management Board, which includes representatives from councils, health and other response bodies, will meet on Wednesday to discuss the next steps.

Neighbours Nottinghamshire on Monday confirmed that Nottingham city along with the districts of Rushcliffe, Gedling and Broxtowe face tier 3 lockdown from midnight on Thursday — though Newark on the Lincolnshire border will stay in tier 2 for now.

Lincolnshire’s neighbours in Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire have much higher COVID-19 infection rates. | Data: GOV UK

Lincolnshire County Council’s assistant director of public health Tony McGinty said Lincolnshire was “fairly close” to having similar conversations.

“If you look at the numbers in some of our districts we probably are going to be wanting to talk about taking additional measures over the coming week or two,” he said.

“Some of those numbers […] are looking quite difficult.”

He added: “Lincoln is having some particularly challenging times at the moment with its numbers […] for me at the moment, the district I’m spending most of my time talking to colleagues about and talking to City of Lincoln Council colleagues about is Lincoln.”

He said local and national leaders may want to have that conversation “over the coming days or weeks”.

The restrictions for tier 2 – high – lockdown.

Lincolnshire is tier 1 – medium – lockdown.

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.

If that decision is made to move up a tier, the next steps will include discussions over what the additional measures will mean and what extra funding will be made available.

The Aldi store in uphill Lincoln will be one of 13 UK stores used as part of the latest trials for a click and collect service by the budget supermarket chain.

From Tuesday, October 27, customers will be able to order from a full range of groceries online via the Aldi website. The service is charged at £3.99 per order.

You can then collect them in pre-booked one hour slots from the Wragby Road store. The last slot is 8-9pm.

Upon arrival at new dedicated click and collect car park areas, shopping will be brought to cars by Aldi colleagues contact-free, in line with COVID-19 measures.

This follows the introduction of Deliveroo at the Wragby Road Aldi in June, allowing for home deliveries from the supermarket within 30 minutes.

If the click and collect trial is successful, it is expected to be rolled out nationwide across other stores.

Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Aldi’s quality products and unbeatable prices have never been so in demand.

“Extending this trial is about providing thousands more of our existing customers with another convenient way to shop with us, while also making Aldi accessible for many others who may not have shopped with us before.”

A luxury dog bed company near Market Rasen has been hounded with orders, thanks to a month on month surge in sales and new jobs created despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Holly Bryant founded Designed for Dogs in Osgodby in April 2017. The company hand makes a range of dog bedding, blankets, bandanas and toys, treats and chews and face coverings, as well as a bespoke service for durable and practicable beds for mucky pups.

The products are sold online here and via the firm’s own page on Etsy.

Holly Bryant is the owner of Designed for Dogs.

Holly has seen a surge in sales since the beginning of lockdown, prompting her to take on three local new staff members in October at a time when unemployment is at its highest for three years.

The new staff will help hand make the products, provide admin support and grow the business.

Belle the Dachshund.

Belle is feeling festive.

Holly lives with her husband Joe and their two dogs Rocky and Buster, as well as three horses called Harvey, Shai and Shadow.

She said: “We started to put plans in place at the start of COVID-19 to try to safeguard the business, stay positive and look at innovative ways to bring in revenue due to the cancellation of events we exhibit at.

“We were worried that with so many events cancelled this year it would have a detrimental effect on the business.

“Thankfully we have built up a loyal customer base over the past three years and having to have a new focus on online sales, it’s generated new business where I have often worked late into the night to ensure all our orders get out on time.

“I am really excited to welcome the new team to Designed for Dogs HQ and excited about our future.

“It takes a lot of hard work, determination and self-belief to get through turbulent and unpredictable times like these. Building a strong team around you who believe in your brand and the quality of your offering helps you get through anything.”

Fern the Dalmatian.

Fraser is owned by Hannah Jackson aka The Red Shepherdess.

Work has already started on Designed For Dogs future plans. This includes building a bigger studio and storage facility.

There will be a shop at the front where customers can buy ready made products and get their dogs measured for bespoke beds, which Holly hopes will be ready within 12 to 18 months.

Remi the Working Cocker Spaniel.

A man who carried out two street attacks within nine months leaving both of his victims unconscious has been given a final chance by a judge.

Morgan Barnes, 21, who had four previous convictions for violence, carried out the first attack during the early hours of the morning when he struck an off-duty firefighter after his victim intervened in an attempt to prevent a fight in Clasketgate, Lincoln.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court: “It was an unprovoked attack on an off-duty firefighter who tried to intervene to prevent a fight.

“The victim went to try to diffuse the situation but the defendant then turned his attention on him.

“The victim was aware of a fist coming towards him and he was knocked to the ground. It was a single punch. The next thing he remembers is waking up in an ambulance.

“While on the ground the victim apparently had a seizure. He was taken to hospital for treatment.”

The man suffered swelling to his face and head and cuts to his mouth and lip.

Mr Howes said the second offence took place in September last year when Barnes approached Patrick Noble in a convenience store and asked him out for a fight.

“This was an attack on a man who refused an invitation to fight from the defendant who had a grudge against him. As Mr Noble walked towards his vehicle he was struck. It is unclear how many punches were delivered but the victim said he was hit several times before going to the ground.

“He was knocked unconscious and when he came round, he went back into the shop for help. An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital.”

The victim suffered cuts, bruising and swelling to his head and a black eye.

Morgan Barnes, 21, of Wragby Road, Lincoln, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm as a result of the first incident on December 15, 2018. He also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Mr Noble on September 2, 2019.

Barnes was given a 12 month jail sentence suspended for two years with a four month night-time curfew. He was also ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, an anger management programme and to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

Judge John Pini QC imposed a restraining order banning Barnes from contacting Mr Noble for five years.

The Judge told Barnes: “I want you to understand that this is absolutely your last chance. If you come back before the court then prison it will be.”

George Wills, for Barnes, told the court: “He has work available to go back to when COVID ends.

“He is somebody who has difficulties with drink. He needs some assistance with his anger management. He fully understands the seriousness of his position.”