General Election causes Lincolnshire Police funding uncertainty

There have been 353 new coronavirus cases and 17 COVID-related deaths across Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday.

There were 293 new cases in Lincolnshire, 42 in North Lincolnshire and 18 in North East Lincolnshire. North Lincolnshire’s cases have now surpassed 7,000 since the pandemic started.

On Thursday, 15 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire and two in North East Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

NHS England reported 12 new local hospital deaths on Thursday, including nine at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, two at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and one at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals.

On Thursday, national cases increased by 37,892 to 3,543,646, while deaths rose by 1,290 to 94,580.

New NHS England figures show that almost 50,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Lincolnshire, with nearly five million nationally.

The weekly data released on Thursday show 49,633 jabs between December 8 and January 17. It’s the first time localised figures have been released.

Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate up to January 20, according to the government dashboard:

Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Jan 13 to Jan 20. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire’s COVID cases up to January 21.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday, January 21

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

45,341 cases (up 353)

• 31,562 in Lincolnshire (up 293)
• 7,039 in North Lincolnshire (up 42)
• 6,740 in North East Lincolnshire (up 18)

1,743 deaths (up 17)

• 1,241 from Lincolnshire (up 15)
• 271 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
• 231 from North East Lincolnshire (up two)

of which 1,036 hospital deaths (up 12)

• 632 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up nine)
• 31 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (up one)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 372 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up two)

3,543,646 UK cases, 94,580 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.

Police have been given powers to issue £800 fines for those attending house parties during the coronavirus lockdown, doubling for each incident to a maximum of £6,400 for repeat offenders.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the measures, which will apply to those who attend illegal gatherings of more than 15 people in homes, at a press briefing on Thursday.

At the same meeting, health bosses hit out at “morally reprehensible” people who tried to fraudulently get a vaccine.

Ms Patel said there was still a “small minority” of people breaching coronavirus lockdown rules.

“Such irresponsible behaviour poses a significant threat to public health, not only to those in attendance, but also to our wonderful police officers who attend these events to shut them down,” she said.

“From the outset, we have given the police and necessary powers to enforce the rules, which are in place to stop the spread of this virus and, as these latest measures will demonstrate, we will not stand by while a small number of individuals put others at risk.”

Ms Patel was backed by Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

He said that since regulations were introduced in late August, to January 17 this year, 250 large party fines fines had been issued across England.

He outlined some of the worst incidents including a party of more than 40 in London and one of 150 in Hartfordshire.

Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

“These are just a few examples where our officers are not only exposing themselves to the risks of COVID, but in some cases are also facing abuse and physical assault, from those who are wilfully breaching the regulations and endangering all of those present,” said Mr Hewitt

“We have repeatedly made it clear that house parties and other large gatherings shouldn’t be happening,” he added.

“They’re dangerous irresponsible and totally unacceptable and I hope that the likelihood of an increased fine acts as a disincentive for those people who are thinking of attending or organising such event.

“This is about saving lives. When we see people that are putting others, and themselves in danger we will not waste time trying to reason with them. They’re demonstrating no regard for the safety of others, or even themselves.”

NHS England’s regional medical director for London, Dr Vin Diwakar

At the same meeting, Dr Vin Dawakar, the NHS England Regional Medical Director for London reported that “some unscrupulous people” were using links shared with them to “falsely book a vaccination appointment”.

“To do this is denying some of the most vulnerable people in our community a life saving vaccine.

“Let me be really clear about this, it is morally reprehensible to try and jump the queue at anyone who books to get the vaccine fraudulent they will be turned away.”

A Danish homeware retailer will open a brand new store at Marshalls Yard in Gainsborough, replacing the former DW Fitness unit.

JYSK, the largest Danish retailer in the world, will open the 12,570 sq. ft. store at the Gainsborough shopping complex this August.

It will be on the ground floor of the old DW Fitness unit, which closed down after the company went into administration in August 2020. A new gym opened upstairs.

The new store will be located at Marshall’s Yard in Gainsborough.

The shop will be just the third JYSK store to open in Lincolnshire, joining branches in Lincoln and Grantham.

Charlotte Toplass, of the Marshalls Yard Centre management team, said: “JYSK will be a fabulous addition to Marshalls Yard and we are looking forward to their launch in August this year.

“With home improvements proving really popular in the current climate, it is the perfect time to introduce a homeware store where our shoppers can pick up on trend furniture and décor.”

Midfielder Jay Matete has signed for Grimsby Town on loan from League One club Fleetwood Town until the end of the season.

Matete joined Fleetwood Town’s academy at the age of 17 in 2018 as a full-time scholar after a spell at Reading.

The 19-year-old, who will wear the number 20 shirt for Grimsby, was awarded with his first professional contract at Fleetwood in February 2020.

He has continued to earn more first-team opportunities for Fleetwood this season and he has made a total of 13 appearances in all competitions.

Matete will be eligible for selection for a possible debut in Saturday’s derby clash away against local rivals Scunthorpe.