The top of the cathedral wearing the NHS colours with pride. Photo: Steve Smailes
Rewind the week 14 of coronavirus lockdown updates from Lincoln and Lincolnshire.
1,839 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire (up from 1,838)
1,149 in Lincolnshire (up from 1,148)
524 in North Lincolnshire (no change)
166 in North East Lincolnshire (no change)
331 COVID-19 deaths in Greater Lincolnshire (up from 330)
140 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up from 139)
3 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
116 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
71 in Lincolnshire County Council-managed care homes (no change)
311,151 cases, 43,550 deaths in total
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF the latest update
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Live blog finished. Updates are displayed chronologically.
22nd June 2020 11:25am
No COVID-19 deaths in June so far in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire’s health bosses say there have been no new COVID-19 related deaths in Lincolnshire’s hospitals at all in June.
The figures released by the NHS last changed the number of deaths from 139-140 on June 8, nearly two weeks ago.
However, health bosses say the last time the figure increased on their system was on May 29 – another 10 days prior.
If there are no deaths reported later on Monday, that means the county will have gone 24 days without COVID-19 related deaths being reported.
Derek Ward, Director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council: “We’ve seen virtually no new deaths and a complete flattening out with the number of deaths in the county over the last couple of weeks, which is which is great and obviously it’s what we want to see.”
The number of cases has, however, continued to rise slowly with one extra case over the weekend seeing the total in Lincolnshire increase to 1,141.
24 days without COVID-19 hospital deaths in Lincolnshire
There have been no further deaths in Greater Lincolnshire hospitals again with just 20 fatalities reported nationally.
Monday’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.
This morning, the Lincolnshire’s director for public health Derek Ward confirmed there had not been a single new hospital death in the county in June, with the last one recorded on May 29 — 24 days ago.
A further 20 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in the UK to 42,632.
22nd June 2020 5:00pm
Just 31 new Lincolnshire COVID-19 cases in June, no hospital deaths
There have been just 31 new cases of COVID-19 reported so far in Lincolnshire in June according to the latest government statistics — and as previously reported, no hospital deaths.
On June 1, there were 1,111 cumulative cases across the county, but in Monday afternoon’s latest update from the Department of Health and Social Care there were a total of 1,142 – just one new one from this morning.
The highest number came on June 2 when seven new cases were recorded in the county, while June 9, 10 and 11 all saw six cases a day.
On Monday, Lincolnshire also reached 24 days without new deaths according to the latest government figures and local health bosses – with no additional deaths reported in June so far.
On Monday, Lincolnshire also reached 24 days without new deaths according to the latest government figures – with no additional deaths reported in June so far.
The number of cases in North and North East Lincolnshire also remained unchanged today at 524 and 165 respectively.
22nd June 2020 5:02pm
Study: “Cordoning off” Lincoln would have let quarter of people move freely
Low-risk areas including Lincoln could have been “cordoned off” to boost the economy instead of locking down the entire county during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study.
Researchers at De Montfort University in Leicester have said around a quarter of constituencies nationally could be deemed as “lower risk” and could have benefited from “alternative measures” to lockdown.
One of those is Lincoln, which has so far seen 125 COVID-19 cases and around 50 deaths according to the government’s own dashboard.
Dr Fabio Caraffini said: “By cordoning off lower-risk constituencies, we could have allowed more than 25% of the population to move more freely within their respective regions, which would also have driven almost a quarter of Britain’s economic output.”
The scientists used data including vulnerability, population density, commuter mobility, school mobility, people per house, and economic output.
Read more here.
23rd June 2020 12:28pm
Only four Lincoln prison inmates had coronavirus
Just four prisoners at HMP Lincoln tested positive for coronavirus and no deaths have been recorded at the crowded facility with capacity for 729 inmates.
The latest data on the UK Parliament website shows the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Friday, June 12. This is the number of positive cases since mid-March and not the number of live cases. It also includes individuals that have recovered.
Get ready to have a pint and a haircut (in whichever order you can) after Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the next stages of easing the coronavirus lockdown, so pubs and hairdressers can reopen from July 4, and social distancing is dropping to one metre.
All hospitality services indoors will be limited to table service and guidance will encourage minimal staff and customer contact.
Lincolnshire unlikely to see second COVID-19 wave, say health bosses
Lincolnshire is “less likely” to see a widespread second wave of coronavirus according to the county’s health bosses.
The presidents of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, Nursing, Physicians, and GPs all signed a letter in the British Medical Journal on Wednesday asking central government to undertake an urgent review to determine whether the UK is properly prepared for the “real risk” of a second wave of coronavirus.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that from July 4, pubs, restaurants, cinemas and hairdressers could all reopen along with other sweeping changes around social distancing rules.
However, Lincolnshire County Council’s consultant in public health Andy Fox said: “What I’d expect to see in Lincolnshire is more localised outbreaks associated with particular areas, such as businesses, or schools. Things that are traditional and typical for local flare ups of any infectious disease really.
“This is stuff that public health professionals are very used to dealing with and we’re already putting in place measures to address and control these when they happen.
“Having said that I wouldn’t rule out at all the risk of another surge in cases across the population.
“If that does happen, obviously we will be looking to change things in order to address that.”
Grantham hospital downgrade “will be reviewed quarterly,” says health secretary
ULHT’s decision to downgrade Grantham Hospital’s accident and emergency ward as part of its coronavirus containment plans “will be reviewed quarterly,” the health secretary has said.
Responding to a call from Grantham MP Gareth Davies to ensure the changes were “temporary”, Matt Hancock told the House of Commons: “I discussed this issue directly with NHS officials, Grantham will be open 24/7 as an urgent treatment centre and as part of plans to ensure COVID and non-COVID services are kept as separate as possible.
“We will ensure this position will be reviewed quarterly.”
Barbers and salons get ready to chop lockdown mops
Getting your lockdown mop chopped is among the top priorities for many people, so barbers and salons in Lincoln were largely delighted by the news they can reopen again next month.
The government has issued guidelines on close contact services, including hair salons and barbers, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced can reopen on July 4 in the next phase of the plan to ease lockdown. However, these businesses must not provide services which remain prohibited including nail, beauty and tanning services.
There have been no reported hospital deaths related to COVID-19 in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday.
Tuesday saw a 24-day streak without coronavirus-related deaths brought to an end with two local fatalitied.
But updated government statistics released on Wednesday show Lincolnshire’s hospital deaths sticking at 141.
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust also again saw no additional deaths – remaining on a total of 116.
Prior to the two deaths reported yesterday, there had been no increase since May 29.
The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Greater Lincolnshire is 328.
Nationally, a further 51 people who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 28,435.
24th June 2020 4:58pm
Just one new coronavirus case confirmed in Lincolnshire
There has been just one new case of coronavirus confirmed in Lincolnshire today.
According to government figures for Wednesday the total for the county now stands at 1,146.
However, North Lincolnshire’s numbers have also been revised down by one to 523.
It means the total for the Greater Lincolnshire Area – also including North East Lincolnshire which remained at 165 – stays the same at 1,833.
Local gyms in Lincoln have been reacting to the news that they will not be allowed to reopen next month unlike most of the hospitality and beauty sectors.
Although pubs and hairdressers were given the go ahead to reopen on July 4, indoor gyms and sports venues/facilities were among those to be told they cannot return to business just yet. However, outdoor gyms will be allowed.
The Lincolnite spoke to four local independent gym owners, who spoke out with a mixture of frustration and looking positively at how they may be able to adapt.
Lincolnshire tips to accept more waste types from July
Household waste and recycling tips in Lincolnshire will accept more waste types and allow cars with small trailers from July 6.
Lincolnshire County Council has had over 50,000 bookings since reopening. All eleven of its sites will now open five days a week from Friday to Tuesday.
Second day without coronavirus deaths in Lincolnshire
There have again been no further reported hospital deaths related to COVID-19 in Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday.
Tuesday saw a 24-day streak without any additional reported coronavirus-related deaths brought to an end with two local fatalities.
But updated government statistics released on Thursday show Lincolnshire’s hospital deaths still at 141 for a second day.
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust also again saw no additional deaths – remaining on a total of 116.
Prior to the two deaths reported on Monday, there had been no increase since May 29.
The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Greater Lincolnshire is 328.
There was only one new confirmed case on Wednesday.
26th June 2020 2:42pm
Two coronavirus deaths reported in Lincolnshire hospitals
There have been two coronavirus-related deaths reported in Lincolnshire hospitals on Friday, bringing this week’s total to three.
Updated government statistics show 139 deaths at United Lincolnshire’s Hospitals Trust – up from 137.
It means the number of Lincolnshire’s hospital deaths have now reached 143.
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust also again saw no additional deaths – remaining on a total of 116.
The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Greater Lincolnshire is 330.
Nationally, a further 67 people, who tested positive for the Coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 28,557.
26th June 2020 2:43pm
Lincolnshire councils will close beaches if necessar
Health bosses have confirmed they would react in a similar way – including looking at beach closures – if Lincolnshire’s coast saw an influx of visitors like Bournemouth.
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council declared a major incident on Thursday after more than 500,000 people flocked to the Dorset coast on the hottest day of the year.
It saw widespread anti-social behaviour, gridlocked roads and a massive amount of litter left on the beach.
Health secretary Matt Hancock has since warned that the government could close beaches if people continued to ignore social distancing.
Lincolnshire’s deputy director of public health Tony McGinty said this morning that the number of visitors to the East Coast had not been as bad due to the space available, but that there was a risk that if other beaches closed down it could get worse.
Age UK Lindsey lays off half of staff to rescue charity
Lincolnshire charity Age UK Lindsey is making over half of its 126 staff redundant and closing two key services in order to survive the financial crisis caused by COVID-19.
The independent charity based in Horncastle was established over 30 years ago and serves an area with a population of over 400,000 people. It provides services for older people in the areas of East and West Lindsey and North Lincolnshire.
Since lockdown restrictions were implemented in March, Age UK Lindsey’s 10 shops and paid for services have lost over £250,000 of income. The charity has received only minor financial aid from Age UK nationally and has no ongoing local government support.
Age UK Lindsey has since said it has had to make some “difficult and extremely regrettable” decisions or risk going under altogether. 78 paid staff have been made redundant, the majority of whom worked part-time on varying hours. Those remaining have taken pay cuts on reduced hours.
All of Greater Lincolnshire, including North and North East Lincolnshire, will be put into the toughest COVID restrictions (tier 3) from December 2.
Newark will be in tier 3 along with the whole of Nottinghamshire, as well as all our neighbouring counties, except Cambridgeshire (tier 2).
Tier 3 means all shops can open but pubs and restaurants are only allowed to stay open for takeaway services, similarly to now.
Barbers and salons will be able to reopen but travelling outside of Lincolnshire is not advised, unless for work, care or education.
Entertainment venues such as cinemas and theatres won’t be able to reopen.
Schools, universities and places of worship will stay open, though may be subject to household bubbles.
Unlike the previous tier 3 rules, gyms will be able to open and people will be allowed to take part in outdoor sports such as golf, tennis and Sunday football.
The rule of six will apply outdoors but there will be no mixing of households.
Weddings and funerals, exercise classes and organised sport can all go ahead. Wedding receptions will not be allowed.
The government continues to request people aim to work from home if possible.
Tier 3 areas will also be eligible for the mass testing pilot which uses rapid or “lateral flow” coronavirus tests and gives results in about 20 minutes without the need for a lab.
NHS Test and Trace and the armed forces will support the local health leaders to deliver the programme.
Prior to today’s announcement Lincolnshire leaders had expressed concerns over a blanket ban on the region and on Wednesday voted to write to government calling for more localised restrictions and control.
There were 508 new coronavirus cases and 29 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday.
The average infection rate for Lincolnshire is 289.5 per 100,000 people.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We’re approaching the end of a year where we’ve asked so much of the British people.
“And in response to this unprecedented threat to lives and to livelihoods, the British people have well and truly risen to the challenge by coming together to slow the spread and support each other.
“I know how difficult this has been, especially for those areas that have been in restrictions for so long.
“I’m so grateful for the resolve that people have shown throughout the crisis thanks to this shared sacrifice.
“We’ve been able to announce that we will not be renewing our national restrictions in England. Scientific and medical advice shows that we must make the tiers tougher than they were before, to protect the NHS through the winter.
“These decisions are not easy, but they are necessary.
“While all three tiers are less stringent than the national lockdown that we’re all living in now, to keep people safe, and to keep the gains that have been made more areas than before will be in the top two tiers. This is necessary to protect our NHS, and keep the virus on the control.”
South Kesteven councillors have approved plans to build 71 homes on land East of Folkingham Road in Morton.
Lincolnshire County Council put plans before district councillors in Wednesday’s Planning Committee.
21 of the homes (30%) will be affordable housing. There will also be pedestrian and cycle connectivity to the village and a play area. Developers said vehicular access to the planning area is acceptable.
There will be a £415,614 education contribution, £46,860 NHS contribution and £30,000 to extend the bus service as a result of the builds.
The masterplan for the 71 homes.
Objections included concerns over the negative impact on the character of the area, residential amenity, highway/transport infrastructure increase, flood risk and the impact on ecology/biodiversity.
The location of the development site. | Photo: Google Maps
Concerns were also raised about the speed of the traffic on the A15 near to the development. Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership will be asked to consider adding a 30-mile speed limit for traffic on this section of the A15.
Cllr Phil Dilks said: “It really hits you how busy and thundering the lorries come through that village.”
Cllr Harrish Bisnauthsing agreed that “the traffic thunders past.”
Six councillors approved plans while five abstained to the proposal due to road-traffic concerns.
An eight-year-old boy from Lincoln has raised over £1,500 for local food banks by walking 150km during lockdown.
Charlie Bell set the aim during the second national coronavirus lockdown to raise money for the Lincoln Community Larder.
His JustGiving page had a target of £150 — £1 for every kilometre he walked — but he has since raised over ten times more.
Over £1,558 has been raised from almost 150 donations at the time of reporting, an impressive total in just three weeks.
He has so far walked 135km and has just 15km to go before completing his challenge.
Despite the long distances, Charlie is feeling good.
Charlie said: “Walking 150km may ache, but it’s worth it if people can eat as a result.
“I have chosen to raise money for Lincoln Larder because nobody should ever have to go without food, especially during lockdown.”
He has done the challenge every day during lockdown, uploading his progress after walking with different family members who are supporting him along the way.
Charlie on one of his walks with his dad Stuart.
Charlie’s dad Stuart said he is immensely proud of his son for carrying on through difficult times.
“Obviously it has been hard for him as he does get tired after being at school all day, but he has done this without any motivation or the need for us to remind him to walk.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and kind hearted nature of him for such a young boy, it makes us both so proud of him.”
No matter the weather, Charlie has been out there walking every day.
Charlie is a keen lover of sport, so when his football, cricket and cycling clubs were stopped, he channelled a famous footballer’s recent efforts against child poverty to keep active and raise money.
Marcus Rashford’s campaigning for the extension of free school meals vouchers put him in the national spotlight, and Charlie has been inspired by the Manchester United forward’s work.
His dad Stuart said: “Obviously he has seen what Marcus Rashford has done and taken note, his school also regularly raise money for charity as well.”
To continue to donate to Charlie’s great cause and challenge, visit his JustGiving page.
Fans will have to wait a bit longer to watch Lincoln City play live at the LNER Stadium, as Lincolnshire will go into tier 3 lockdown.
Football supporters have been eagerly awaiting the return to stadiums, with professional matches being played behind closed doors since the Premier League restarted in June.
The EFL followed suit when the 2020/21 season kicked off, and has had no fans in grounds throughout the campaign so far.
As per the new government guidelines, and the move from national lockdown to a tiered system on Wednesday, December 2, fans in tier one and two areas can now welcome a small portion of fans back to the ground.
Due to Lincolnshire being in tier three, Lincoln City will not be able to have this luxury, and will instead continue to play behind closed doors until further notice.
No club in England’s top four divisions fell into the tier one category, which permits 4,000 fans to be in the stadium, but multiple were in tier two where 2,000 are welcome.
In Lincoln’s division, League One, 12 of the 24 teams fall into tier two, while the other 12, the Imps included, are in tier three and thus cannot have any fans in the stadium on match day.
Elsewhere in Lincolnshire, Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United have also been dealt the same fate, with no supporters allowed in the ground for their respective League Two fixtures.
Also, the new guidance allows for the likes of Boston United, Gainsborough Trinity and Lincoln United to resume matches after they were cancelled during lockdown, but fans cannot be there.
A review of the tiers is expected in the middle of December, and should Lincoln move into a lower tier, the club will be allowed to welcome fans back to the LNER Stadium.
Liam Scully, CEO of Lincoln City Football Club, said: “It is very disappointing news to Lincoln City, our fans and everyone associated with the club that we cannot welcome our unbelievable supporters back just yet, however, we respect the systems that have been put in place by the UK government.
“We have repeatedly asked the government for a road map for the return of fans to stadiums and whilst it’s disappointing that we are unable to benefit from this, it is heartening to see other clubs in tier one and tier two being able to welcome fans back into their stadiums.
“We understand the next review will be in the middle of December and in the meantime, all at Lincoln City FC remain fully committed to working with the authorities to enable fans to return safely once permitted.
“We urge all of our supporters to stay safe and hope to welcome you back soon.”
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