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COVID-19 outbreaks with up to 100 cases two South Holland care homes pushed up the district’s infection rate over the weekend.

Leader of South Holland District Council, Cllr Lord Gary Porter, put the spike down to outbreaks in two care facilities, one being a children’s care home.

He said: “Obviously the numbers are much higher than I would like. The increase is largely driven by two large isolated care home cases with almost 100 between them.”

“I don’t know if the adult care home had the jabs done before the outbreak, but the children’s one wouldn’t have.

“What the figures do show is that it is still vitally important that everyone continues to make sure that they protect themselves as best they can.”

He added: “The vaccine rollout has started but will be months away from having a major impact on tackling the virus.”

Meanwhile, South Kesteven dropped after two weeks from the top spot to third highest infection rate in Greater Lincolnshire with 299.1 per 100,000 of the population.

Lincoln has remained the same since Friday, but in doing so has moved up to first place with the highest infection rate in Greater Lincolnshire of 327.3.

On January 4, local health bosses didn’t know what caused South Kesteven’s mystery spike in COVID-19 infections, but an outbreak at a care home in Grantham could have likely pushed the numbers up,

Some 14 days later, South Kesteven reduced its infection rate and went from first to third place in the county.

However, it is still above the Greater Lincolnshire average of 229 as of January 17.

In national news, analysis by the Press Association has shown 279 out of 315 local areas in England have seen a fall in case rates in the last seven days up to January 13.

Since January 13, the national average has fallen further from 654.9 to 537.9 on January 17.

Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Jan 11 to Jan 17. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney said that a complaint which resulted in him being formally warned for promoting his role as a magistrate ahead of the 2019 general election was “politically motivated”.

However, he said he “would not want to have this argument again” and called for clearer guidance before the next national poll.

Mr McCartney revealed the complaint was made by a “fellow Lincolnshire Magistrate” and University of Lincoln lecturer, but did not name them.

“I believe, and always have done, that it is imperative electors should be able to judge an election candidate and their integrity through what they have done, do, and have been involved with,” he said.

“My public service as a school governor, various positions and trusteeships with a plethora of charities, and my service as a magistrate on three different benches is a matter of public record, as is my former joint chairmanship of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for magistrates.”

“I do not believe in censorship,” he added.

Karl McCartney’s “About Karl” section on his website mentions the role.

Mr McCartney has been a Justice of the Peace for nearly 25 years.

He said the Lord Chancellor in 2005 had changed the guidance and rules and that they had not reverted back since.

He said  “the reality is that I proved to the panel […] there was nothing to complain about, as the guidance from 2005 is still relevant.”

However, the panel came to a different conclusion, giving him a formal warning.

“The British judicial system has an onus on the accuser, and those trying the accused, of proving wrongdoing. If not proven or if there is benefit of doubt, then the finding is surely ‘not guilty’,” said Mr McCartney.

However, he added: “Saying all the above, I would not want to have this argument again. If the guidance is made clearer before the next general election, I will of course review my mentioning of being a JP in election literature.”

Here is Karl McCartney’s statement in full:

“Over a year ago one fellow Lincolnshire Magistrate, who is a Lecturer at the University of Lincoln, made a politically motivated complaint that a leaflet from me prior to the December 2019 General Election had made it clear I had served, and still am, a Justice of the Peace, a Magistrate.

“I believe, and always have done that it is imperative electors should be able to judge an election candidate and their integrity through what they have done, do, and have been involved with. My public service as a school governor, various positions & Trusteeships with a plethora of charities, and my service as a Magistrate on three different Benches is a matter of public record, as is my former Joint Chairmanship of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Magistrates. I do not believe in censorship.

“The Lord Chancellor in 2005 agreed with me, and I received direct notification from him that he was imminently changing the Guidance and Rules for the Judiciary, and Magistrates, which he did. For the record, he did not reprimand me. That guidance has not been rescinded, nor usurped, by subsequent Lord Chancellors, including the current one. If I had done wrong and refused to admit it, I would surely have been removed as a Magistrate by the Civil Servants and those acting on their behalf.

“The conclusion is clear to those who are aware of the full facts. I have always said that if a Justice of the Peace uses their position as a Magistrate to their own betterment, or to offer favour, then they have no business being a Magistrate. After a year of procrastination, the reality is that I proved to the Panel representing the Department that there was nothing to complain about, as the Guidance from 2005 is still relevant. Unfortunately, that does not fit with the conclusion they came to, hence the statement published on their website.

“The British judicial system has an onus on the accuser, and those trying the accused, of proving wrongdoing. If not proven or if there is benefit of doubt, then the finding is surely ‘not guilty’. Saying all the above, I would not want to have this argument again. If the guidance is made clearer before the next General Election, I will of course review my mentioning of being a JP in election literature. However, it is quite clear that many people in Lincoln are aware that I have been a Magistrate for nearly 25 years.”

Lincoln City are without four players for their upcoming match with Gillingham due to a ‘combination’ of COVID-19 and injuries.

Imps boss Michael Appleton confirmed his injury list in his press conference ahead of the League One game at home to Gillingham on Tuesday evening.

Appleton said that four players were missing through a combination of both coronavirus and injuries, and said that he expects some to be missing for a while.

“There are a few players not available for the next three games,” the manager told BBC Radio Lincolnshire on Monday.

The players affected were not mentioned by the Lincoln City manager, but evidence suggests that new cases of COVID-19 were found.

This is because he confirmed that Harry Anderson and Conor McGrandles, two players missing from action in recent weeks, were now available to play again.

It comes after a turbulent few weeks for the Imps’ squad and staff, with numerous people, including manager Michael Appleton, testing positive for COVID-19 in the last month.

The absences leave Lincoln’s squad looking fairly thin, particularly as the club have let three players leave the club this January.

Alex Bradley left for National League side Yeovil Town, Robbie Gotts was recalled by Leeds United before moving to Salford City, and Zack Elbouzedi departed to join Bolton Wanderers on loan.

The Imps are looking to continue their magnificent season and extend their lead at the top of the League One table.