Lincolnshire Talks: Is enough being done to combat hospital waiting times for sick children?

There have been 1,005 new coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and 26 COVID-related deaths so far this week — compared to 867 cases and 40 deaths this time last week.

The government’s COVID-19 dashboard on Friday recorded 113 new cases in Lincolnshire, 20 in North Lincolnshire and 18 in North East Lincolnshire.

On Friday, four deaths were registered in Lincolnshire, two in North East Lincolnshire and -1 in North Lincolnshire. Fluctuations in data are usually due to some deaths in those areas being reallocated to other regions across the UK or a miscount. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

NHS England reported two new local hospital deaths at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust and one at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, bringing the total so far this week to 11, a drop from 20 last week.

On Friday, national cases increased by 8,523 to 4,163,085, deaths rose by 345 to 122,415 while COVID first jab numbers hit over 19 million.

This week has seen Greater Lincolnshire overtake the England average infection rate by seven cases per 100,000.

Six of the nine districts have seen an increase in their infection rates since Wednesday but health bosses expect to see numbers going up and down, so it isn’t too concerning.

The England average has continued to fall over the past week.

Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates over the last week up to February 26:

Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Feb 19 to Feb 26. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite

Local health bosses said there are no COVID mutations of concern in Lincolnshire currently, but they have a plan if new variants enter the county.

The plan is called ‘Operation Eagle’ and would include surge testing and contact tracing to find where the variant first appeared in Lincolnshire.

The Kent mutation is present in the majority of cases in Lincolnshire and is known to be around 70% more transmissible, but not more dangerous.

Variants of concern include the South African mutation which can spread more rapidly and vaccines might not work quite as well against it.

However, there is no evidence it causes more serious illness for the majority of those who come into contact with it either.

In national news, the UK’s coronavirus reproduction number – or R number – remains between 0.6 and 0.9 from last week, meaning for every 10 people infected, they will pass COVID on to between six and nine others.

Vaccinating people in order of age is the fastest way to cut COVID-19 deaths in the next phase of the roll-out, say experts advising the UK government.

People in their 40s will be next, once the current phase is completed, not key workers. Here’s when you could get your coronavirus vaccine.

Some of the first people to check into quarantine hotels have had their first taste of freedom upon their release today after self-isolating for 11 nights.

From last Monday, UK and Irish nationals returning to England from a “red list” country deemed at high risk for COVID-19 have had to check into quarantine hotels.

The 15 areas of England to have vaccinated the lowest proportion of adults against COVID-19 are all in London.

In some boroughs, including Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham, just one in five adults have received a single dose of a vaccine, according to NHS England data up to 25 February.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Friday, February 26

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

53,205 cases (up 151)

• 37,581 in Lincolnshire (up 113)
• 7,989 in North Lincolnshire (up 20)
• 7,635 in North East Lincolnshire (up 18)

2,065 deaths (up six)

• 1,517 from Lincolnshire (up four)
• 299 from North Lincolnshire (down one)
• 249 from North East Lincolnshire (up two)

of which 1,216 hospital deaths (up three)

• 754 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up two)
• 41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 420 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up one)

4,163,085 UK cases, 122,415 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.

After roadside littering reared its ugly head in Lincolnshire again, councils across the county appear to be passing the buck, without taking any action.

The issue was raised by The Lincolnite reader Rebecca Dunn, who went to clean up with her friends part of the roadside on the Western Bypass in Lincoln, because she said it was “starting to look like a landfill site.”

Some of the litter that was found at the roadside dated back 17 years to 2004, suggesting that the area hadn’t been cleaned in years.

A can dating back to 2004 was found at the side of the road. | Photo: Rebecca Dunn

Rebecca had told The Lincolnite that she was consistently asking West Lindsey District Council about roadside cleaning for over two years, but nothing was done about it.

She was eventually given a response, which claimed that funds are no longer available for litter picking on roads over a 50mph speed limit — the bypass has a 60/70mph limit depending if it’s dual or single carriageway.

An alarming amount of bags filled by roadside litter on just one stretch of Lincoln’s roads. | Photo: Rebecca Dunn

When asked about this, a spokesperson for WLDC said: “Working on high speed roads is a real challenge for us, wherever possible we will work with partners to allow our staff to work safely.

“For instance, we litterpick dual-carriageways at the same time as lane closures are in place for grass cutting operations.”

Rebecca and some of her friends went to clean up the roadside. | Photo: Rebecca Dunn

The council added: “We are aware of reports of litter on this section of the highway and have been working in collaboration with the Highways Authority to get the trees cut back.

“Now that work is complete it will allow us access to the laybys to undertake litterpicking work.”

West Lindsey District Council also said that there is no specific part of the street cleansing budget, of which we weren’t given the total figure, dedicated to the stretch of road in question.

However, the council said that anyone with specific issues regarding street cleansing should call 01427 676676.

“Starting to look like a landfill site.” | Photo: Rebecca Dunn

The Lincolnite also approached Lincolnshire County Council for a response about this, who declined to comment and called it a “district matter”.

Part of the A46 ring road around Lincoln is the responsibility of Highways England, while others are under County Council management.

In response to our original story, many people pointed out that a similar issue is arising on roadsides in North Kesteven.

North Kesteven District Council were also asked to comment on the problem, but did not reply.

A man living in North Hykeham has started his own family business offering authentic homemade Punjabi style curries for the local community.

Rizvaan Ashfaq, known to all his friends as Sid, launched Hadiqa’s Street Food Kitchen on February 15 after moving to the Manor Farm housing estate in North Hykeham last summer.

He runs it alongside his fiancée Raluca Nistor, a forensic psychologist for the prison service who runs the admin side of the business.

Mutton and potato curry (bottom and top left) and chicken and chickpea (top right). | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

There are currently three curries rich in flavour to choose from, which are priced at £8 and include traditional pilau rice. They are mutton and potato, chicken and chickpea, and mixed vegetable, with the latter suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Sid, who also enjoys bodybuilding in his own time, said the motto for his business is ‘Just heat and eat’ as the dishes are all prepared freshly and just required heating up by the customer.

Hadiqa’s Street Food Kitchen is based in North Hykeham. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The curries are all served with traditional pilau rice. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

He told The Lincolnite: “Takeaways are often very commercialised and people suffer in Lincoln and Hull who cannot get authentic Indian curries.

“I thought why not bring it local. I did some surveys on social media to gauge interest and the reaction was positive, so I started building my business from November. I launched on February 15 and it has been very busy.

“Normal curry houses or takeaways are often not traditional. We buy all the spices fresh and blend them by hand. We make it in an authentic way, they are tasty and people will get all my hard work and passion.”

Rizvaan Ashfaq, known as Sid, and his fiancée Raluca Nistor run Hadiqa’s Street Food Kitchen in North Hykeham. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The 39-year-old is originally from West Yorkshire and also works as a general manager/director of the cocktail bar Level Cafe Bar and Grill in Hull, which is owned by his uncle Zafer Yildiz.

The food is made freshly in the professional kitchens there before being transported to Hykeham in a refrigerated van ready for delivery.

People can order to North and South Hykeham, and Lincoln through Facebook, via email at [email protected] or by calling 07791542912.

Orders can be placed Monday to Thursday with the menu changing monthly, with the next one in mid-March. The customer can choose a delivery day between Friday and Sunday before being allocated a time slot. Delivery is within a four mile radius, with surrounding villages also eligible soon.