A socially distanced high street. Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Rewind the week 15 coronavirus lockdown updates from Lincoln and Lincolnshire.
3,343 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire (up from 3,334)
2,420 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,413)
717 in North Lincolnshire (up from 716)
204 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 203)
436 COVID-19 deaths in Greater Lincolnshire (no change)
141 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
3 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
118 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
114 in Lincolnshire care homes (no change)
52 in North Lincolnshire care homes (no change)
7 in North East Lincolnshire care homes (no change)
285,416 cases, 44,220 deaths in total
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF the latest update
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29th June 2020 11:21am
‘Virus hasn’t gone away’: One death and one new COVID-19 case in Lincolnshire this weekend
This weekend saw one additional reported COVID-19 related death in Lincolnshire and one further case confirmed bringing the totals to 144 deaths and 1,149 cases.
Health officials in the county warned the virus “hasn’t gone away” despite low numbers across the county recently.
Lincolnshire County Council’s director of public health pointed to Leicester potentially facing a “local lockdown”, along with spikes elsewhere in the world such as Beijing, parts of the USA and areas of India.
Leicester saw a rise of 900 cases in just two weeks. Lincolnshire has recorded 38 so far this month – just 4.2% of the city’s figure.
Mr Ward said: “Obviously, it’s a tragedy that people are still dying from COVID-19, but the numbers are low, and have certainly gone lower over the past month, so that’s great.
“But the disease hasn’t gone away, and we need to keep that message in the forefront of people’s minds, because we’ve seen spikes all over the world – in some places where they thought that got on top of it.”
One new coronavirus death in Northern Lincolnshire hospitals
There has been one new COVID-19 related death at either Grimsby or Scunthorpe hospitals, but no further fatalities in Lincolnshire on Monday.
The June 29 NHS statistics bring the total number of people to die after testing positive for coronavirus in Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals to 117.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust remains unchanged at 140 deaths after one additional report over the weekend, along with three at Lincolnshire Community Health Service and one at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust facilities.
North Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals has seen eight deaths in June so far, while ULHT has seen an extra six over the course of the month.
North and North East Lincolnshire has seen a combined rise of 20 confirmed cases since June 1, while Lincolnshire has seen an increase of 38.
Nationally, a further 19 people, who tested positive for the Coronavirus have died in England hospitals, bringing the total to 28,672.
29th June 2020 3:14pm
Patient visits to resume at Lincolnshire community hospitals
Family and friends will be able to see their loved ones staying in Lincolnshire’s four community hospitals when patient visiting resumes on July 1.
The Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) is the primary community healthcare provider in the county and runs facilities in Louth, Skegness, Gainsborough and Pinchbeck.
In March, the trust made the decision to suspend visiting arrangements with immediate effect, but they will resume again from Wednesday.
All visitors will be required to book an appointment in advance by contacting the ward clerk before visiting the impatient wards.
There have been no new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Lincolnshire today.
According to government figures for Wednesday the total for the county remains at 1,149.
North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire numbers have also stayed steady at 424 and 166 respectively.
It means the total for the Greater Lincolnshire area stays the same at 1,839.
The North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire authorities have seen a combined rise of 20 confirmed cases since June 1.
Lincolnshire itself has seen an increase of 38 over the same period.
One new coronavirus-related death was reported at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust today bringing the total number to 117.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust remained unchanged at 140 deaths.
North Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals has seen eight deaths in June so far, while ULHT has seen an extra six over the course of the month.
Nationally, a further 19 people, who tested positive for the Coronavirus have died in England hospitals, bringing the total to 28,672.
30th June 2020 3:18pm
No new coronavirus deaths in Lincolnshire on Tuesday
There have been no new coronavirus-related deaths reported at any of Greater Lincolnshire’s hospitals on June 30.
This mean that for the month of June, there were six COVID-19 deaths at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (Lincoln, Boston Grantham) and 8 at Northern Lincolnshire hospitals (Scunthorpe, Grimsby).
NHS statistics for Tuesday show figures for all hospital trusts remaining as follows:
140 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust
3 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust
117 in Northern Lincolnshire and Goole
The total number of deaths across Greater Lincolnshire remains at 332.
ULHT has not seen any additional reported deaths since Saturday’s report, however, NLAG reported an additional one yesterday taking their number up.
Nationally, a further 37 people who tested positive for the Coronavirus have died in England’s hospitals, bringing the total to 28,709.
Updated case numbers will be released later today, however, according to government figures for Monday the total for Lincolnshire remained at 1,149.
North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire numbers also stayed steady at 424 and 166 respectively.
It meant the total for the Greater Lincolnshire area stays the same at 1,839.
1st July 2020 10:54am
Lincolnshire to see “significant” increase in COVID-19 cases — from old data
Health bosses expect a “significant” jump in the number of confirmed positive cases in the next few days as data from the Lincolnshire Showground and mobile testing units is revealed.
Previously local authority’s only received pillar one data (from hospitals and healthcare testing) but government is now sending out pillar two data – community testing such as the Lincolnshire Showground and mobile testing units as well, leaving health officials in the region to sift through the new numbers.
Derek Ward, director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We would expect a significant number of people will have tested positive in Lincolnshire through the Showground and the mobile testing units, and that data should be available to us quite soon and we’ll report it.”
He said the data was still being worked through and official numbers should be revealed in the coming days.
However, he reassured people that those in pillar two were those being tested before needing NHS care and that a “a lot of people… who are positive will isolate and will have cleared the virus themselves and not needed hospital care”.
Council leaders ask for common sense on the coast ahead of pubs reopening
Two Lincolnshire council leaders say “common sense” and “reasonable adjustments” are needed when visiting the coast, especially with many pubs and restaurants reopening this weekend.
Thousands of people flocked to Bournemouth beach last week and during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Boris Johnson said the scenes in the coastal town were “completely unacceptable”.
There are some fears that people could flock to the Lincolnshire coast this weekend, including from Leicester which was recently put back into a stricter lockdown. However, Lincolnshire Police will have more officers on duty to ensure a “sensible and safe” July 4 return.
Councillor Martin Hill and Craig Leyland, who are the respective leaders at Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council, have issued a joint statement saying “we are a long way away from returning to normal”.
South Kesteven council calls for more power as it demands restoration of A&E
South Kesteven councillors have called for more say in the decisions around Grantham Hospital as they demanded the full restoration of accident and emergency services.
A meeting of the full council on Wednesday expressed “grave concerns” over ULHT’s temporary closure of the department in 2016, which has been turned into a Urgent Treatment Centre in June 2020 as part of the trust’s coronavirus plans.
The motion before the meeting called on council leader Kelham Cooke to write to health and scrutiny bosses with concerns, as well as calling on Health Minister Matt Hancock to reverse the changes and give local authorities “fair representation” on the “decision-making affecting health in their communities”.
During the meeting, council leader Kelham Cooke said “alarm bells” were ringing and the motion sent a “clear indication of this council’s dismay”.
“The issue goes beyond the provision of an around-the-clock urgent treatment centre.
Councils to get extra cash to cover some coronavirus losses
Greater Lincolnshire councils cash-strapped by coronavirus will be able to claim from more than £500m of new government funding pots and be compensated for some of their losses, it has been announced.
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick said the money would help “ensure councils’ financial sustainability for the future”.
In addition, authorities will be reimbursed for some of their lost income, said Mr Jenrick.
Where losses are more than 5% of a council’s planned income from sales, fees and charges, the government will cover them for 75p in every pound lost.
Further government changes will also allow tax deficits to be spread over three years rather than one.
New data shows over 80% old extra COVID-19 cases in Lincolnshire
The number of cases of coronavirus confirmed in Lincolnshire’s hospitals has increased by more than 1,400 (80%) after new testing figures were included on Wednesday.
Government figures released today show that a total of 3,328 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire including both pillar one (hospital and health care testing), and historic pillar two (fixed testing sites, mobile and home testing) data.
They are broken down as follows
2,410 in Lincolnshire (up from 1,158)
715 in North Lincolnshire (up from 524)
203 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 166)
The total increase including the data was 1,480.
Nationally there have now been 283,757 cases and 43,995 deaths.
New COVID-19 data shows infection still limited in Lincolnshire
Around 3% of historic COVID-19 tests carried out at the Lincolnshire Showground, mobile testing units and through home kits since the beginning of the pandemic have come back positive according to latest data.
The total for Greater Lincolnshire was 3,328 coronavirus cases including both pillar one (hospital and health care testing), and pillar two (fixed testing sites, mobile and home testing) data.
Lincolnshire’s director of public health Derek Ward said it was really helpful to now have much of the required data in one place – though more was still needed for a fuller picture.
He said: “It’s really important that we know how many people in hospital have coronavirus because obviously they’re generally the most sick and the most at risk people, and we’ve had that from very early doors.
“But it’s really important as well to understand how many people are isolated and then going to get a test and how many of those positive.”
Health bosses also now have data at a post-code level meaning they will soon be able to see where hotspots are flaring up across the county.
According to health chiefs in the county, 40,870 pillar two tests were carried out between April and June 30 – meaning the 1,252 confirmed cases represent 3.06% of tests carried out.
There have been no new coronavirus-related deaths reported across Greater Lincolnshire hospitals on July 2.
NHS statistics for Thursday show figures for all hospital trusts as follows:
141 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
3 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
118 in Northern Lincolnshire and Goole (no change)
The total for Greater Lincolnshire hospital deaths is now is now 263.
So far this week there have been three additional deaths involving COVID-19 reported in Lincolnshire’s hospitals, with NLAG seeing new cases on June 29 and July 2 – the latter date also saw ULHT record a new death.
Nationally, a further 38 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus have died in hospitals in England on Friday, bringing the total to 28,832.
The Office for National Statistics today also revealed the latest death toll for care homes across Lincolnshire.
There have now been 173 deaths in the sector across the three Greater Lincolnshire authorities – meaning the overall death toll across hospitals and the care sector is 436.
Updated case numbers will be released later today, however, yesterday’s release of previously unreported pillar two cases – those from testing sites such as the Lincolnshire Showground, the mobile units and home testing – the number of cases in Lincolnshire jumped to 2,410 – up from 1,158 the day before.
North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire numbers also increased to 715 and 203 respectively.
It means the total for the Greater Lincolnshire is now 3,328.
3rd July 2020 5:00pm
Lincoln bars and pubs ready for reopening weekend
Bars, pubs and restaurants in and around Lincoln are getting ready to reopen on Saturday as the country tries to gradually ease back into a kind of ‘new normal’ after more than 100 days of coronavirus lockdown.
Several venue will be doing table service only and minimal staff contact is encouraged as part of the government guidelines, while some are allowing socially distanced ordering at the bar behind protective screens.
The Lincolnite spoke to the managers at Craft and The Imp & Angel micropub about how they planned to reopen on July 4.
Four COVID-19 cases confirmed in Lincolnshire on Friday
The number of cases of coronavirus confirmed in Lincolnshire has increased by four in Friday’s figures.
Government figures released today show that a total of 3,334 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire including both pillar one (hospital and health care testing), and pillar two (fixed testing sites, mobile and home testing) data.
They are broken down as follows
2,413 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,410)
716 in North Lincolnshire (up from 715)
203 in North East Lincolnshire (no change)
It follows a massive 80% hike in numbers after historical pillar two data was included in Thursday’s numbers.
At the beginning of the week there were 1,839 cases.
Nationally there have now been 284,276 cases and 44,131 deaths.
Five stages of future local lockdowns announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced five key stages which will define local lockdowns as the country looks to move forward against coronavirus.
Mr Johnson said during a briefing on Friday that an approach around monitoring, engaging, testing, targeted restrictions and finally lockdowns had been developed.
He said the aim was to get as many people back to normal as possible.
“To achieve this we need to move away from blanket national measures to targeted local measures,” he said.
“So instead of locking down the whole country we will lock down specific premises or local areas where the virus is spreading.”
He said he would have “no hesitation” in reimposing restrictions if things began to get worse again.
He urged people to act responsibly as pubs, bars and restaurants re-opened tomorrow.
“Tomorrow is about supporting the livelihoods of business owners and their employees up and down the country – all of whom are opening their doors for the first time in more than three months,” he said.
“All these businesses and their workers have put in a heroic effort to prepare their venues for this reopening, to work out a way to trade in a way that keeps their customers safe.”
A timetable is expected next week for when many of the remaining closed businesses such as gyms, nail bars and theatres will be able to reopen.
A horse, a dog and a deer were rescued from the water during a busy weekend for Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, who also saved a stuck pigeon.
A crew from Saxilby and water rescue team Gainsborough Fire Station attended Brayford Pool on Saturday, May 15 to reports of a dog in the water. A passing boat took the crew out to the island, who rescued the dog that fortunately was uninjured.
On the same day a horse, named Luna, was found stuck in the river at Rivermead in North Hykeham. She was rescued using lines and stropes.
Fire crews from Lincoln helped to rescue a distressed horse called Luna from the river. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
The horse was checked over by a vet and was uninjured. The other horses are now safely back in the field.
Luna’s owner Tegan Harteveld told The Lincolnite that someone had trespassed in the nearby field and opened the gate, meaning over 10 horses got out with her beloved animal ending up in the river.
The vet was called immediately, who sedated Luna and Tegan believes the next couple of days will be crucial due to the adrenaline wearing off.
Luna after being pulled out of the river near Lincoln. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
Luna safely on dry land after being rescued from the water by fire crews. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
Tegan with her beloved horse Luna. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
She said: “You hear stories of horses ending up in ditches and rivers, but you never expect the phone call to be about your own animal.
“The next thing most owners think, myself included, is how they got out. When I found out it was by a person/people, I was angry and very upset.
“This could have been avoided at all costs. They had no right to be in that field, it’s private land. Now my horse and myself are paying the price for someone’s stupidity and ignorance.
“I’m just relieved that the amazing fire brigade managed to pull her out and she was the only one in. If there had been multiple horses, I doubt the outcome would have been a success.”
Fire crews helped to pull the horse to safety.
A healthy Luna before her terrifying ordeal. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
This is Luna- the beautiful horse rescued by crews from Rivermead near Lincoln yesterday. Thankfully she’s doing ok now. Animal rescue is an important part of the work our crew do #notjustfirespic.twitter.com/0cOyaCqBFQ
— Lincs Fire & Rescue (@LincsFireRescue) May 16, 2021
On the same day, crews help a deer stuck in the Fossdyke Canal. The deer was rescued from the water by crews and released back into the wild.
Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue also helped the RSPCA rescue a poor pigeon in Boston on Sunday, May 16.
Horse, deer, dog, pigeon……in animal rescue bingo we’re doing well this weekend 🐴 🦌 🐕 🐦 https://t.co/5azvJ0uOzG
— Lincs Fire & Rescue (@LincsFireRescue) May 16, 2021
The pigeon had some string around its feet and had got caught on a derelict building. The bird was untangled and happily flew on his way.
Over the last few weeks The Lincolnite readers have been voting for their favourite IMP from this year’s trail and the results are in.
With almost 25,000 votes for the 31 IMPs, the winner — by over 700 votes — is the Steam Explorer by artist Rosie Ablewhite, sponsored by Jacksons Workwear Rental, with a total of 4,443 votes.
Following closely behind was Majestic by Lizzy Mason, sponsored by Saul Fairholm, and Girls Can by Rosie Ablewhite, sponsored by Girlguiding in Lincolnshire with 3,654 and 3,328 votes respectively.
The much-anticipated Lincoln IMP Trail will be on show across the city from July 3 until September 8 after being postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for the locations reveal soon.
After the main trail, the IMPs will come together to form a guard of honour at Lincoln Castle before moving to Lincoln Cathedral on Lincolnshire Day, October 1, for an auction to raise funds for organisers Lincoln BIG’s charity partner, St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice.
The 31 imps were designed by national and local artists who were successful following a competition and selection process by the sponsors. There are also five smaller roving community imps, including Wind, which The Lincolnite adopted.
Lincoln’s new arcade bar Carousel will open on the High Street next week after more than £1 million of investment — and The Lincolnite went to check it out for a sneak peek.
Carousel will open in the building formerly occupied by Ruddocks on Wednesday, May 19. It includes various experience zones, including simulation shooting range Quickdraw, Shuffle board, social darts with interactive lanes, and a plethora of arcade machines.
The arcade machines include Time Crisis, Daytona racing, Sonic and Mario at the Olympics and Down the Clowns, as well as a dance mat, basketball hoops and air hockey.
Sit down have a drink, eat some food and play some games at Carousel. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Plenty of arcade machines to try. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Social darts with a difference, including various mini games. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Tables can be pre-booked for food and drinks, or experience areas for fun and games, both via Carousel’s website. Walk-ins will be accepted from the opening date on May 19, but due to the coronavirus restrictions the venue’s capacity will be limited initially.
There is a wide range of food ranging from large plates, such as the Carousel beef brisket, to burgers, hot dogs and plank pizzas.
There are also small plates including Halloumi sticks, Korean BBQ Bao buns, sweet chilli chicken skewers and Bombay Caulibombs.
The variety of drinks includes beers, wines, spirits, alcoholic and non-alcoholic slushies and a what is described as an “Instagram worthy” cocktail menu.
Carousel’s “Instagram worthy’ cocktail menu includes these drinks. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Fortune Favours is a vodka-based cocktail, with peach liqueur, pineapple juice and grenadine. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Tropic Like It’s Hot contains gin, elderflower, apple juice, cranberry juice, lime and mint. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The cocktail menu at Carousel.
Carousel has created 40 new jobs for the local community and Operations Manager David Nejrup can’t wait for the venue to welcome its first customers.
He told The Lincolnite: “We are delighted to launch our new concept Carousel in the city.
“Carousel has been in development for over two years. In that time and through our research and development, we noticed a shift in what guests wanted from a new bar concept.
“We found that guests wanted more than the usual extensive product range, amazing cocktails and fantastic food. They wanted to be entertained and have an experience while socialising and at Carousel we feel we have created just that.
“Not only do we have a fantastic street food-inspired food menu, an extensive selection of draught beers, wines and spirts and an Instagram worthy cocktail menu, we have taken competitive socialising to the next level. There is so much to do here, there is something for everyone.”
Smoked salmon salad. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Pulled beef brisket and the cheese burger are just some of the tasty menu items at Carousel. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Or why not whet your appetite with a tasty Halloumi dish? | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Carousel is operated by Lindum Leisure, which is leasing the building and has links to a group of businesses including Home, Curiosity Shop and Craft.
Carousel is located on Lincoln High Street in the building formerly occupied by Ruddocks. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Detective Constable Aaron Flint of Grantham is appealing for witnesses and information following the report of substantial damage being caused to Ancaster Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Branches have been cut from trees, some of which are hundreds of years old and rubbish, including tyres, wood, and other items, have been dumped at the site. It is believed this has happened sometime during the last two weeks.
The area in question is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage a SSSI.
The penalty for this offence up until 2015 was a fine of up to £20,000. This has now been changed giving the courts the power to give an unlimited fine.
There were a number of tyres at the site. Photo Lincolnshire Police
DC Flint said: “These sites are extremely fragile and highly vulnerable to damage. We will be working closely with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to identify the offenders and bring them to justice. This is not only a mindless and selfish act of vandalism but also serious crime against our environment.
“We take all reports of wildlife crime very seriously. We would encourage anyone who has been in this area in the last two weeks and may have any information, not matter how irrelevant you may feel it is, to contact us on 101.”
Garden furniture was also found. Photo Lincolnshire Police
Rachel Shaw, spokesman for Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, added: “This is a senseless act of vandalism to a wonderful nature reserve. It’s also a drain on our resources as it’s likely to be costly to remove, and, most concerning of all, the damage to the trees and shrubs will have a long term impact.
“A number of trees have had branches removed and bark damage that may affect their survival. The shrubs that have been damaged are box. Box is very slow growing and unfortunately some of the stems cut and damaged are over 100 years old so will take a long time to regenerate.”
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is an area that’s of particular interest to science due to the presence of rare species of fauna and flora, important geological or physiological features. These areas are of very high conservation value, and need to be protected.
DC Flint is asking for anyone who may have information about this offence to contact 101 or crime stoppers quoting occurrence number 21000263099 or by emailing him directly at [email protected]
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