Government plea as temporary A&E closure reaches 2.5 year marker

A further four schools in Lincolnshire have positive cases of coronavirus on Monday.

Lincolnshire County Council said on Monday, October 19 that it is working with 68 schools with COVID-19 infections.

A further two schools in North East Lincolnshire have reported cases since Friday. There have been at least six schools with cases in North Lincolnshire since term resumed in September.

The latest additions to the county council’s list are Claypole Primary School, St George’s Academy (Ruskington), Swinderby All Saints Primary School, University Academy Holbeach.

Woodlands Academy (Spilsby), Bassingham Pre-School, Hawthorn Tree School (Boston) and Springwell Alternative Academy (Grantham) are the schools currently closed.

Andy Fox, consultant in public health, said: “As of this Monday, Lincolnshire’s Health Protection Team is currently working with 68 schools that have had confirmed cases of coronavirus.

“All schools are taking action to limit the potential spread of the virus, with some pupils and staff self-isolating as a precaution where necessary.”

Meanwhile, the University of Lincoln revealed on Monday that 85 of its students have tested positive for coronavirus.

Schools with current confirmed cases (new in bold at the top):

• Claypole Primary School
• St George’s Academy, Ruskington
• Swinderby All Saints Primary School
• University Academy Holbeach
• Lincoln College
• Queen Elizabeth High School, Gainsborough
• Hackthorn Primary School
• Kesteven and Sleaford High School
• Somercotes Academy, North Somercotes
• Lincoln Castle Academy
• Lincoln Carlton Academy
• Bluecoat Meres Academy, Grantham
• Dunholme St Chad’s Primary School
• Kesteven and Grantham Girls School
• Hogsthorpe Primary Academy
• Bassingham Pre-School (closed)
• Barrowby Primary School
• Billingborough Primary School
• The Priory Academy LSST
• Priory Ruskin Academy, Grantham
• Boston College
• Hawthorn Tree School, Boston (closed)
• Caistor Yarborough Academy
• Haven High Academy, Boston
• Malcolm Sargent Primary School, Stamford
• St George’s Academy, Sleaford
• St Peter and St Paul Academy, Lincoln
• Kirkstone House School, Baston
• Stamford Endowed Schools
• Manor Leas Junior School, Lincoln
• St Hugh’s Catholic Primary, Lincoln
• Ermine Academy, Lincoln
• St Giles Academy, Lincoln
• Branston Community College Academy
• Grantham College
• Kelsey Primary School
• Birchwood Junior School, Lincoln
• Great Steeping Primary School, Spilsby
• Walton Academy, Grantham
• Wragby Primary School
• Woodlands Academy, Spilsby (closed)
• Skegness Academy
• Blyton Cum Laughton Primary School
• Castle Wood Academy, Gainsborough
• The King’s School, Grantham
• Westgate Academy, Lincoln
• William Farr School, Welton, Lincoln
• Sir William Robertson Academy, Welbourn, Lincoln
• Kisimul School Acacia Hall, Freisthorpe
• Leslie Manser Primary, Lincoln
• Lincoln St Christopher’s Special School
• Long Sutton Primary School
• Market Deeping Community Primary
• Springwell Alternative Academy, Grantham (closed)
• St Nicholas Primary, Boston
• Community Learning in Partnership, Gainsborough
• Grantham Preparatory International School
• Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Horncastle
• St Michael’s Primary School, Thorpe on the Hill
• University Academy Long Sutton
• Denton Primary School, Grantham
• Bridge House Independent School, Boston
• Charles Read Academy, Grantham
• De Aston School, Market Rasen
• The Lancaster School, Lincoln
• The St Sebastian Primary School, Grantham
• Waddington All Saints Academy
• Bourne Academy

Public Health are also aware of the following three cases at nurseries:

• Town and Country Kiddies Nursery, Louth
• Seashells Nursery, Mablethorpe
• Angels Childcare, Lincoln

North East Lincolnshire

There are currently 27 schools and education settings with confirmed cases of coronavirus in North East Lincolnshire after a further two were reported on Monday.

North Lincolnshire

North Lincolnshire Council said it was unable to provide data regarding schools in the region with coronavirus cases.

There is understood to have been at least six cases at North Lincolnshire schools since term restarted in September.

• South Axholme Academy, Epworth
• Enderby Road Infant School, Scunthorpe
• St Lawrence Academy, Scunthorpe
• Baysgarth School, Barton-upon-Humber
• Frederick Gough School, Scunthorpe
• Oasis Academy Henderson Avenue, Scunthorpe

In addition, John Leggott College in Scunthorpe has also had a positive case of coronavirus.

A Grantham man who allegedly “coughed on shop staff deliberately and claimed to have coronavirus” was arrested and charged by police.

Lincolnshire Police received a report that a man had stolen a pair of headphones from Currys in Dysart Retail Park at 1.30pm on Saturday, October 17.

He had been blowing in the direction of a member of staff and claimed to have coronavirus.

Benjamin Wells, 41, of Grantley Street in Grantham was later charged with theft from a shop and common assault.

Wells will appear before Lincoln Magistrates Court on January 15.

Some 85 University of Lincoln students have now tested positive for coronavirus.

Last week, the university said 36 students and one member of staff tested positive for the virus.

However, the number of positive cases among students has risen 130% to 85.

A University of Lincoln spokesperson said: “We are proud that University of Lincoln students are coping well with the ongoing situation and working together to support each in their return to education in these challenging times.

“Having a large campus and being able to create additional outdoor meeting spaces has meant that our students have been able to continue learning together and enjoy the social aspects of going to university in spaces which are compliant with government guidelines.

“Adaptations such as blended learning, one way systems, extensive additional sanitiser stations, and significant additional space for teaching rooms are just some of the activities which are making the difference for our students.

“The number of cases is around 0.5% of the university population with 85 students at the University of Lincoln, in total, reporting a positive test result for COVID-19.

“We are pleased that our test and trace process, developed specifically for the institution, is working well and helping us to look after our students. We continue to provide food packages and support for any students going into self-isolation.

“Equally we are reminding students of their responsibilities with regard to adhering to government guidance. Like everyone else in Lincoln our students are part of the community of this great city.

“Our young people have already felt the impact of COVID-19 on their lives and education since March. They take it extremely seriously and are very aware of the need to help protect others.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Grosseteste University said it currently has seven students self-isolating due to a positive test result for coronavirus. BGU is expected to update its data later this week.