Six days without new COVID-19 deaths as most shops reopen

People pile into Lincoln for lockdown shopping frenzy

People across the UK have been urged to spend to restart the economy — and people in Lincoln did just that.

Hundreds queued from as early 5am at stores across the city on Monday, most notably Primark on the High Street and at Sports Direct in the St Marks Shopping Centre.

Monday, June 15 was the first day that relaxed lockdown guidelines allowed non-essential shops to reopen, including clothes retailers.

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Lincolnshire goes a whole week without COVID-19 deaths

Lincolnshire hospitals have now gone an entire week without any further COVID-19 related deaths being reported.

The latest government statistics released on Monday show that the number of deaths at Lincolnshire’s hospitals has remained at a total of 140.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust has also again seen no further reported deaths – sticking at a total of 115.

The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Greater Lincolnshire is 322.

Hundreds join socially distanced Grantham Hospital protest

A protest supporting Grantham Hospital staff and opposing planned changes which will see it become a “COVID-19 free” site has seen hundreds attend.

Campaigners said they were “completely overwhelmed” by the level of support for the “socially distanced” gathering outside the United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust facility on Monday.

Bosses at the trust have approved plans to tackle coronavirus including downgrading the accident and emergency department to an Urgent Treatment Centre.

Photo: Mel Powles

The proposals will see A&E patients and non-elective patients turned away from Grantham Hospital to other sites.

Elective surgery and day cases such as chemotherapy patients will instead be taken from Pilgrim and Lincoln hospitals and transferred to Grantham.

Staff and councillors joined in the protest which campaigners said saw “a good few hundred” attend.

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Only four Lincolnshire Greggs reopening on Thursday

Greggs is continuing its phased comeback from the coronavirus lockdown by reopening 800 shops on Thursday, but only four are in Lincolnshire.

Following a successful trial in a selection of shops in the North East, the bakery announced a list of shops reopening for takeaway only on June 18. This will initially include around 150 franchise stores.

Unfortunately, the list for June 18 only includes four branches in Lincolnshire.

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Humber Bridge toll booths reopen this month

The Humber Bridge toll booths will reopen later this month following recent government guidance, but cash payments will not be accepted.

The bridge spans the Humber between Barton Upon Humber on the south bank and Hessle on the north bank, connecting the East Riding of Yorkshire with North Lincolnshire.

Traffic has been steadily increasing over recent weeks so the Humber Bridge Board has decided to reopen the toll booth lanes on Monday, June 29.

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Lincoln bus users welcome compulsory face masks

Lincoln bus users have welcomed compulsory face masks on public transport to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The government asked transport operators in England to make wearing face coverings a requirement of using public transport from Monday, June 15.

The Lincolnite spoke to people at Lincoln Central Bus Station on Tuesday morning to find out their views on the new ruling.

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Over 70 COVID-19 deaths in Lincolnshire care homes

Over 70 COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded in Lincolnshire care homes since April 10, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.

Three deaths were recorded in Lincolnshire care homes last week, giving a total of 71 for the period between April 10 and June 12.

A total of 21 COVID-19 related deaths were recorded in North Lincolnshire during the same period, with five in North East Lincolnshire.

This means there have been a total of 97 deaths recorded in care homes across Greater Lincolnshire.

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Lincolnshire Universal Credit claims spike 18% in a month to over 57,000 people

The number of Universal Credit claims continues to rise in Lincolnshire during the COVID-19 pandemic, with last month’s figures showing a more than 18% increase on the previous month.

The latest job centre figures have been released by the Department for Work and Pensions and show how between April 9 and May 14 a further 9,018 people signed on across the county bringing the total to 57,825.

Last month’s figures had shown a rise of 14,351 since March 12 (prior to lockdown) meaning the total increase since before the coronavirus pandemic is now 23,387 – just over 40% of total claimants.

Universal Credit covers six major benefits and the figures cover those both in and out of work, including self-employed and those who have been furloughed under the government’s schemes.

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Prison worker who nearly died twice during COVID-19 battle discharged

A prison service worker from Boston, who nearly died twice during his battle with coronavirus, has been discharged from hospital and praised his wife’s colleagues for saving his life.

Gary Graves, 54, was admitted to hospital with coronavirus on March 28 three days after his dad’s funeral. He had experienced odd days with a sore throat, headache and a cough, but initially thought this was down to the stress of losing his dad and planning the funeral.

Gary’s wife Astrid is a health care supporter worker at Pilgrim Hospital and knew something wasn’t right. She called doctors before they went to A&E and this was the last time she saw her husband for nine weeks.

Gary was put into a medically-induced coma. He came round several times, but had to be sedated again to allow his body time to recover.

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Four Lincolnshire schools with confirmed COVID-19 cases

There are now four schools in Lincolnshire to have reported a confirmed coronavirus case since June 1.

Isaac Newton Primary School in Grantham became the fourth Lincolnshire school to report a positive COVID-19 case.

Previous cases since schools reopened on June 1 came from Fosse Way Academy, Bishop King Primary School and St Faith’s & St Martin’s Junior School.

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Ninth consecutive day without COVID-19 deaths in Lincolnshire

There have been no hospital deaths related to COVID-19 in Greater Lincolnshire for nine consecutive days.

Updated government statistics released on Wednesday show Lincolnshire’s hospital deaths have remained at 140.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust has once again seen no additional deaths – remaining on a total of 115.

The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Greater Lincolnshire is 326.

Nationally, a further 77 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 28,138.

Local leaders want more “bite” to tackle coronavirus outbreaks

Lincolnshire’s political leaders are calling for more “bite” to tackle local outbreaks of coronavirus as the pandemic moves into the recovery phase.

A new Local Authority Engagement Board, which will see council, health and police bosses plan for the future, held its first meeting on Wednesday.

However, concerns have already been raised about the complexity of the current system with cases, and potentially outbreaks, currently going to national bodies first and being cascaded down to local authorities.

The new board can advise people and businesses to self-isolate or close on a voluntary basis.

Lincolnshire County Council Leader Martin Hill. Photo: LCC

However, it does not have many powers of enforcement except long-winded methods such as court orders or recommending potential actions to the secretary of state.

Second day without new COVID-19 cases in Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire had a second day with no new COVID-19 positive tests being reported across Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday.

This comes after the news that the authorities of Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire also reported no new coronavirus related death figures for the ninth consecutive day.

Although there have been occasions that Lincolnshire has not had any new coronavirus cases reported, the last time the county’s figure stayed flat for multiple days was June 5-7.

According to official figures, after just one confirmed case on Monday and four over the weekend, there have now been 1,136 cases in Lincolnshire.

521 coronavirus cases have been reported in North Lincolnshire, and 164 in North East Lincolnshire.

It means that in hospitals, Greater Lincolnshire has suffered 322 COVID-19 deaths.

National figures released on Wednesday revealed there had been a cumulative total of 299,251 cases and 42,153 deaths nationwide.

Fantasy Island to reopen rides and attractions next month

Fantasy Island will open its rides and attractions next month, but there will be a limited capacity allowed inside so booking is advised.

The market at the family attraction on Sea Lane in Ingoldmells, Skegness reopened for visitors from June 3 and the popular rides and attractions will be back open from Saturday, July 4.

People wanting to experience the rides and indoors attractions are advised to pre-book ride wristbands online prior to visiting.

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“Watch from home” sports fans told

Football fans have been told to watch games from home rather than congregate outside football stadiums by the government’s culture secretary.

Premier League football will restart tonight with matches between Aston Villa and Sheffield United and Man City and Arsenal.

However, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Look after your fellow fans and communities by watching from home. To keep the home advantage, support from home.”

He said the return of the sport was a “significant milestone” but was just one step towards normality.

Other key moments include:

• Grassroots and community sport could begin by July at the earliest
• The number of daily deaths continues to go down, today seeing a further 183 people reported as having died.
• Work is ongoing to explore how live performances can be made safe during the pandemic

Lincolnshire coast school closed as pupil has a fever

A primary school on the Lincolnshire coast has temporarily closed due to a child having a fever.

Sutton on Sea Community Primary School on Station Road, Mablethorpe posted a copy of a letter to parents, carers and children dated June 16 on its Facebook page.

The school said child did not attend school on Tuesday due to having a high temperature on Monday evening.

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10 days in a row with no Lincolnshire COVID-19 deaths

There have been ten consecutive days with no COVID-19 related deaths in Lincolnshire hospitals.

Updated government statistics from Thursday show that Lincolnshire’s hospital deaths remained at 140.

There were also no deaths in Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust, leaving that figure at 115.

The total number of coronavirus related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire stands at 326.

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Black Lives Matters protesters reminded to stick to COVID-19 rules

Protesters attending a Black Lives Matter event in Lincoln this weekend have been reminded but Lincolnshire health bosses that COVID-19 rules are still in effect to keep people safe.

The gathering on Saturday, the second to take place this month, is expected to be of around 800 people.

Protestors will begin at University of Lincoln library at 5pm, marching uphill to the Cathedral again.

Organisers of the event picked the second date to cater for worries about the spread of COVID-19, waiting two weeks between the events.

Lincolnshire County Council’s deputy director of public health said there had been “no obvious upswing” of cases since the last event on June 4. Official figures for Lincolnshire say there have been no new confirmed cases in 10 days for the county.

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11 days in a row with no Lincolnshire COVID-19 deaths

Official figures show there have now been 11 consecutive days without any additional COVID-19 deaths reported in Lincolnshire’s hospitals.

Friday’s government statistics show that the county’s hospital deaths remained at 140.

There were also no deaths in Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust, leaving that figure at 115.

The total number of coronavirus related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire stands at 326.

Prior to the numbers being released, assistant director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council, Tony McGinty said the length of time without deaths or cases had been “incredibly positive”.

He said he hoped people could “pick up the baton” and make it to two whole weeks this weekend.

Nationally, a further 46 people who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 28,221.

Lincolnshire councils face £67m losses due to coronavirus

Councils have estimated a more than £67.42 million loss from their own budgets for 2020/21 to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes as councils face hits to their incomes as well as additional costs to tackle COVID-19.

The government has provided grants of £43.5million to Lincolnshire councils leaving a gap of at least £23.92m.

And some councils predict this figure could rise further as the pandemic, the lockdown and other restrictions continue.

Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill said: “Local councils are playing a major role in supporting our communities and our most vulnerable residents during this crisis.

“This has inevitably meant we have faced greater costs than expected this year.”

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Five new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire

There have been five new cases of Coronavirus confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire on Friday.

Lincolnshire reported four new cases, bringing a near-four day streak to an end and the total to 1,140.

Meanwhile another new case was also reported in North Lincolnshire bringing its total to 523.

North East Lincolnshire’s total of confirmed cases remained at 165.

This comes after the news that the county has had no additional reported coronavirus-related deaths for 11 consecutive days.

Key workers spread positivity with uplifting song

Around 50 key workers from across the UK, including in Lincolnshire, sang in a special song to give hope to people during the coronavirus crisis.

Edward Young, 22, lives in Glinton on the border near Market Deeping and Stamford. He wanted to spread positivity to people having a tough time during the coronavirus pandemic, so he wrote ‘Hold On (For Another Day)’.

The song, released under the name ‘Hope Nation’ this month, is to thank the key workers and raise money for the NHS, with over £800 so far being raised.

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You can now get Deliveroo from Aldi in Lincoln

An Aldi store in Lincoln became one of just nine across the country to trial a Deliveroo service.

The store on Wragby Road was one of the first in the UK to be part of Aldi’s new partnership with Deliveroo.

Shoppers are offered a selection of more than 200 Aldi products via the Deliveroo app, and can get items delivered to their door in 30 minutes.

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All children to return to school in September

All children in all year groups will go back to school in September, education secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed.

The minister said those who had returned to school already had enjoyed being back in their classroom and with their classmates.

He said the government wanted “as many children back in school as possible”.

“I understand there’s anxiety,” he said.

“I want to assure you the wellbeing of your children is the highest priority for every single one of us.

“It’s in every child’s best interest to return to school if they are eligible and able to.”

Mr Williamson also confirmed £1billion would be set up for a COVID Catch-up Plan which would be up to schools to tailor how it’s used.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted that social distancing rules could be relaxed to help pupils return to school faster.

“Watch this space, he said.

Further information and guidance will be released over the coming weeks.