Nearly three quarters of those who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Lincolnshire were over the age of 70, all of the victims had underlying health conditions.
Age and gender figures from United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust of those that have died show that the age group has seen the most deaths in the county’s hospitals.
A total of 85 patients have died in hospital while 593 have been confirmed with COVID-19.
Public health bosses have said they expect a steady increase in the death rate while hospital admissions should fall.
Relatives of those that have died have taken to The Lincolnite to pay tribute to their loved ones. You can leave yours here.
Majority of victims over 70, men in their 80s highest deaths
A total of 63 of those that have died have been over the age of 70, around 74%.
Of that number, 10 of the patients were aged over 90 and 22 were in their 70s.
But, the most deaths in hospitals have been male and in their 80s.
Table showing COVID-19 deaths in Lincolnshire by gender and age group. Data: ULHT/NHS. Table: The Lincolnite.
31 patients in that age group have died after testing positive for COVID-19, a total of 21 men and 10 women.
A woman in her 80s was confirmed as the first Lincolnshire death on March 26.
The over-70 age group is considered at risk from the virus, particularly those with underlying health conditions.
The government asked vulnerable people, which includes some over the age of 70, to stay at home and avoid face to face contact as part of lockdown measures.
26% of hospital deaths under-70
Meanwhile, just over a quarter of those that have died in Lincolnshire’s hospitals have been under the age of 70.
15 patients in their 60s have died after testing positive for COVID-19, while six of them were in their 50s.
The youngest victim of coronavirus in the county was aged 49, while the oldest was a woman aged 99.
Tony McGinty, assistant director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council. Photo: The Lincolnite
Despite the figures, public health bosses have said the rate of deaths is lower than compared with other counties.
Tony McGinty, assistant director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council, said the rate would still increase but will remain low.
“We would expect a decline in hospital admissions to come first,” he said.
“The overall level is still a steady increase and will lag behind cases.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Morgan, chief executive at ULHT said that the death rate in the county was “markedly lower” than the rest of the country.
Andrew Morgan, chief executive of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust. Picture: Calvin Robinson.
But Mr Morgan said the confirmed deaths were not always on a “day-to-day basis”.
“The death figures are not always on a one day period,” he said.
“We have to check that we’ve tested all the patients who have sadly died and that the families consent is given.
“So figures will vary from day-to-day but if you still look at the overall death rate for Lincolnshire it is still markedly lower than the rest of the country virtually.
“There’s only one or two places that have had fewer deaths than Lincolnshire.”
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The boy attended today’s hearing remotely by video link from the secure accommodation unit where he is being held on remand.
Tributes left for Roberts Buncis, 12, near Alcorn Green in Fishtoft, where his body was found. | Photo: John Aron
During the 14 minute hearing the boy sat on a settee next to his defence barrister Tara McCarthy. Both of them wore protective visors.
No charge was put to him and the matter was adjourned for a further case management hearing to be held on April 6.
Judge John Pini QC remanded the defendant to the secure accommodation unit. The judge previously set down a trial date to commence on June 21. The hearing is expected to last two weeks.
An order has been imposed under section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act of 1999 preventing publication of the identity of the accused boy.
A burglar with six previous convictions, who smashed his way into a house and stole hundreds of pounds worth of property, was jailed for 45 months at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday.
Andrew Seward, who has six previous convictions for house burglary, climbed over a neighbour’s fence before smashing his way through the doors at the back of his victim’s home in St Mary’s Road, Skegness.
Stephen Gosnell, prosecuting, told the court: “An untidy search of the property was conducted by the defendant.
“Everything was strewn around the bedroom and he had also searched the living room.”
Seward escaped with two boxes of jewellery, clothing, perfume and food but was traced because he cut himself on the glass of the French doors as he entered the house.
DNA tests were carried out on blood found at the scene and he was arrested at his home nine days later.
The burglary took place when the occupiers were out for just 90 minutes.
Mr Gosnell said: “The loss of these items is described as irreplaceable by the victim.
“The estimate of the value of the items stolen was £1,500. Shoring up the property cost a further £210 and a new door cost £165.”
Seward, 37, of Morris Gardens, Skegness, admitted a charge of burglary of the property on December 7, 2020.
Neil Sands, in mitigation, said: “He apologises unreservedly for this.
“He had been making real progress. He was released halfway through his last sentence and had been out for over two years.”
Mr Sands said that Seward struggled to cope after learning that his nephew had cancer and he then turned to drugs and alcohol.
“He had just started a relationship with a young lady. She has indicated that when he comes out they have a future together and he will have a settled home. It is his intention to use his time during this sentence to learn a trade.”
Judge John Pini QC, passing sentence, told Seward: “You have a bad record with six previous convictions for dwelling house burglary.
“I hope that you are able to learn a trade and that when you are released from custody you can earn an honest living.”
A group of urban explorers who travelled from three different counties to look around derelict buildings were caught and fined in Grantham for breaching lockdown rules.
The group, which consisted of six people from three different counties across the country, travelled to Grantham on Saturday, January 16 to look around an abandoned hospital on Manthorpe Road.
Police were made aware of the group trying to gain access to the derelict building at around 11pm over the weekend.
All six people were caught by Lincolnshire Police and issued with £200 fines for breaking lockdown guidelines.
All were first time offenders, hence the £200 fine, but it will be reduced to £100 if the fine is paid within 14 days.
Sgt Dan McCormack of the Lincolnshire force put out a tweet on Sunday saying it’s “not on” and “not essential”.
6 Covid fines issued to group of ‘urban explorers’ who have travelled from 3 different counties to have a look around the derelict parts of the hospital at #Grantham. Not on. Not essential and simply a breach of the lockdown. #Covid#Lockdown#Fines
Kerrin Wilson, assistant chief constable at Lincolnshire Police, called the group “COVIDIOTS” in a tweet and slammed their antics.
She said: “These people are dangerous, they are putting people’s lives at risk.
“Lincolnshire Police will continue to do all we can to tackle this and support the public health ethos.
But it is also my colleagues who are at risk because of these behaviours!”
These people are not just #COVIDIOTS they are dangerous. They are putting peoples lives at risk 😡@LincsPolice will continue to do all we can to tackle this & support the public health ethos. But it is also my colleagues who are at risk because of these behaviours! #selfishhttps://t.co/ENrPSlj2jb
— Kerrin Wilson QPM #KeepYourDistance (@Kerrinwilson999) January 17, 2021