Follow the latest coronavirus lockdown updates from Lincoln and Lincolnshire.
3,481 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire (up from 3,473)
2,528 in Lincolnshire (up from 2521)
736 in North Lincolnshire (no change)
217 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 216)
439 COVID-19 deaths in Greater Lincolnshire healthcare (no change)
143 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
4 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)
461 COVID-19 deaths from Greater Lincolnshire postcodes (no change)
319 from Lincolnshire (no change)
106 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
36 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
304,695 cases, 46,201 deaths in total
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.
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Live blog finished. Updates are displayed chronologically.
27th July 2020 11:05am
Fourth COVID-19 death in July as 16 new cases confirmed
There has been one new coronavirus-related hospital death reported and 16 new cases of COVID-19 in the Greater Lincolnshire region over the weekend.
According to NHS figures, the death was reported at United Lincolnshire Hospitals on Sunday, taking the total number of people to die within the trusts facilities to 143.
Lincolnshire Community Health Service, Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals all remained unchanged.
According to the government’s coronavirus dashboard, 454 people from Greater Lincolnshire have died, with 438 of those confirmed to be in hospital facilities or care homes under local councils’ or hospital trusts’ care.
For confirmed cases, the weekend figures showed an increase of 14 in Lincolnshire, hitting the 2,500 mark.
Meanwhile, North Lincolnshire saw an increase of two, to a total of 733.
North Lincolnshire confirmed no further cases.
The breakdown for the total 3,446 cumulative cases is as follows:
2,500 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,486)
733 in North Lincolnshire (up from 731)
213 in North East Lincolnshire (no change)
Nationally, the number of cases increased to 299,426 while the number of deaths rose to 45,752.
27th July 2020 3:53pm
No COVID-19 deaths in Lincolnshire for Monday
Greater Lincolnshire has seen no coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals on Monday.
NHS statistics released this afternoon show none of the trusts across Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire or North East Lincolnshire reported any COVID-19 deaths.
The local figures break down as:
143 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)
So far this month there has been four COVID-19 related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire. The latest death reported yesterday (Sunday) brought to an end six-consecutive days without for the region.
Although figures will be further updated later today, the weekend saw 16 new confirmed cases .
The latest government statistics showed additional positive tests for Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire.
The total 3,446 cases for Greater Lincolnshire currently breaks down as:
2,500 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,486)
733 in North Lincolnshire (up from 731)
213 in North East Lincolnshire (no change)
27th July 2020 5:06pm
Six new coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire
There have been six new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire on Monday.
The government’s dashboard shows an additional four cases in Lincolnshire and two in North East Lincolnshire. No further cases were confirmed in North Lincolnshire.
So far there have been 3,452 cases across the region, which break down as:
2,504 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,500)
733 in North Lincolnshire (no change)
215 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 213)
Nationally cases passed the 300,000 mark, rising by 685 to 300,111.
There were seven deaths confirmed nationally, bringing the total to 45,759.
According to the government’s website there have also been no further deaths added to the tally for each area’s postcode, leaving the tally at 454.
It comes after NHS England figures said there were no additional deaths in hospitals covering the three local authorities.
The local figures for hospital services break down as:
143 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)
28th July 2020 10:51am
Quarantine after travel “tricky”, says Lincolnshire health boss
The latest quarantine rules for those returning from Spain creates a “tricky” situation for some holidaymakers, Lincolnshire health bosses have said.
The UK government is currently advising against all but essential travel to Spain, and has imposed the 14-day quarantine on anyone arriving from the country following a spike in cases.
Andy Fox, consultant in public health at Lincolnshire County Council, said anyone travelling to Spain would need to bear the quarantine period in mind.
“That is going to be too much for some people, it’s going to be tricky to do.
“That 14 day period of time will give plenty of time for you to develop symptoms and to get tested.
The latest move has caused heated debate between the two nation’s governments’.
Mr Fox said it was “really important to remember that we are still trying to prevent that second wave of infection in the UK.”
Lincolnshire is now at the bottom of the peak and back to levels of new cases similar to the beginning of the pandemic.
“[It] could potentially be far more disruptive than the first time and require maybe a second lockdown, which we all want to avoid.
“If it’s a choice between [quarantine] and entering another second wave, then the quarantine although disruptive – and I do feel for people whose holiday plans have been disrupted – will be far less disruptive than the impact of the second wave.”
He stopped short of saying Spain would be riskier than a staycation in Skegness and advised people travelling to ensure they take proper precautions against “unknown quantities”.
However, he said his family would be staying in the UK rather than travelling to France this year.
“I’m a big fan of holidaying overseas myself, I do love going to France but for this period of time we decided to stay in the UK.”
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire Police is the only UK force to fine a person for breaching quarantine after entering the country from abroad.
The fine was issued in Boston to a 39-year-old man who arrived from Bulgaria on July 13.
28th July 2020 12:01pm
Lincolnshire housing market heading for post-COVID “golden age”
Estate agents in Lincolnshire are experiencing a boom in sales post-lockdown, reaching levels not seen since the start of the millennium.
A combination of factors is being described including a change in how people from densely urban areas have expanded their needs after being stuck in apartments with little-to-no gardens or small “office” spaces for three months.
Trying to keep healthy and fit and working from home have presented their own problems – whereas many properties in Lincolnshire are cheaper while providing space or extra room.
Other factors include a cut to stamp duty, affordable prices, low mortgage interest rates as well as pent-up demand put on hold when lockdown began.
Tim Downing, of Pygott and Crone, said they had sold 185 houses in June and 200 so far in July – around 50% up on where they would normally be.
Second day without COVID-19 deaths in Lincolnshire
Greater Lincolnshire has seen no coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals on Tuesday.
NHS statistics released this afternoon show none of the trusts across Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire or North East Lincolnshire reported any COVID-19 deaths.
The local figures break down as:
143 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)
So far this month there has been four COVID-19 related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire. The latest death reported on Sunday brought to an end a six-consecutive day run without for the region.
Although figures will be further updated later today, Monday saw six new confirmed cases .
The total 3,452 cases for Greater Lincolnshire currently breaks down as:
2,504 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,500)
733 in North Lincolnshire (no change)
215 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 213)
29th July 2020 1:44pm
Tuk Tuk firm still hoping to move some summer trade
The owners of a new Tuk Tuk taxi tour planned for Lincoln are still hoping to make a go of their new venture this summer, should a licence be granted next week.
It had hoped to open in April, however, the coronavirus pandemic saw the country locked down the week before the licence was initially due to be reviewed.
If approved, owner Christine Kimbrell, says she is hoping they may still be able to take advantage of the last few weeks of summer to test the water, but would still need to find and employ a driver.
If not, then the service’s start will be pushed back to April 2021 at the latest.
Burger King is now back open at the St Marks Shopping Centre with a reduced menu, but also some tasty new items.
The fast food restaurant reopened at 11am on Wednesday, July 29 for dine in, takeaway and delivery and The Lincolnite was the first customer. It will have shorter opening hours from 12pm-8pm.
The reduced menu includes the new Halloumi Bacon King and a sharer box, which comes with five chicken fries, nuggets, chilli cheese bites, onions rings and two dips.
These Lincoln businesses are offering 50% off meals in August
The government will be subsidising meals out in August, and almost 100 businesses in Lincoln are taking part in the scheme.
It allows people to get 50% off meals and non-alcoholic drinks, up to £10 a head, when they dine in, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from August 3 to the end of the month.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak introduced the scheme as part of his summer statement to help get the economy running again after COVID-19.
Participating restaurants that register for Eat Out to Help Out scheme are be able to claim back all discounts.
There have been seven new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday.
The government’s dashboard shows six new cases across Lincolnshire and one in North Lincolnshire.
There were no new confirmed cases in North East Lincolnshire.
There have been 13 cases confirmed so far since Monday morning.
So far there have been 3,452 cases across the region.
Nationally cases rose by 763 to 301,455.
There were 83 deaths confirmed nationally, bringing the total to 45,961.
Government’s updated figures also showed no increase in deaths of people from the three authorities leaving the total at 457.
The figure above includes not only the 438 deaths in hospitals and care homes, which saw no increases earlier today, but also deaths in the community or in hospitals outside the regions boundaries.
30th July 2020 11:19am
COVID-19 self-isolation period extended to 10 days
People must now self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days if they show coronavirus symptoms, new government guidance says.
The increase is an additional three days to the previous seven already advised.
It follows new evidence that people who become mildly ill can still be infectious seven to nine days after the onset of COVID-19.
A statement from the UK’s four chief medical officers said: “Evidence, although still limited, has strengthened and shows that people with COVID-19 who are mildly ill and are recovering have a low but real possibility of infectiousness between seven and nine days after illness onset.
Boston Christmas market gets funding boost from COVID cancelled events
Boston Christmas Market is still set to go ahead, with funds from 2020 events cancelled by COVID-19 ploughed into it.
According to a report before Boston Town Area Committee, the plan is for a four-day event.
Under the current plans, unspent money would increase the Christmas budget from £14,500 to £22,000.
The plan would be to hold a four-day event in the Bargate Green car park starting on the day of the Christmas Lights Switch On and would include alpine wooden huts, a small fairground ride, live music and a food and drink area.
Some £2,000 of the budget would be used to retest lighting columns ready for the next two events seasons.
A further £13,500 unspent budget could also be used to create an “illuminated fire farden” in partnership with public arts organisation Transported.
Burton Road Chippy closing restaurant due to COVID-19
The popular Burton Road Chippy will not be reopening its restaurant due to the coronavirus crisis, but the takeaway will remain open as usual ahead of moving to new premises this autumn.
With the restaurant closing, the chippy located at 169 Burton Road will move to number 119, next door to Teleservice, in mid-September where it will continue to offer takeaway only.
It will restart its gluten-free offering once it has moved into the new shop. In the meantime, the takeaway will remain open at its current location.
Greater Lincolnshire’s hospitals reported a new coronavirus-related death on Thursday.
The latest NHS figures show one further death of a patient who tested positive for coronavirus at Lincolnshire Community Health Service facilities.
No other deaths were reported at trusts across the region.
So far this month there has been five COVID-19 related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire.
Nationally, a further 12 people who tested positive for the Coronavirus have died in hospitals in England bringing the total to 29,329.
266 people have died in hospitals across the region so far during the pandemic.
Government figures are due to be updated later today, but currently put the total tally at 457 people from the three local authorities who have died.
The figure includes deaths outside healthcare services and those which took place in other authorities.
Wednesday saw seven new confirmed cases, bringing the cumulative total for Greater Lincolnshire to 3,459.
31st July 2020 11:15am
July is the lowest month for new COVID-19 cases in Lincolnshire
July is set to be the month with the fewest cases of COVID-19 in Lincolnshire since the start of the pandemic.
There were six new positive coronavirus cases reported on the government’s dashboard late on Thrusday: three in Lincolnshire, two in North Lincolnshire and one in North East Lincolnshire.
There was also one new COVID-19 death in the same update, separate to hospital figures and organised by postcode, bringing the county total to 316.
Overall there have been 125 new cases across Greater Lincolnshire this month, not including a large dump of ‘pillar two’ data (from testing sites, mobile and home testing) by government on July 2.
No increase in yearly death rate in Lincolnshire despite coronavirus peak
Lincolnshire saw nearly the same amount of people die in the first half of the year as the past five-year average — however the numbers align with the COVID-pandemic, say health bosses.
Lincolnshire County Council’s director of public health Derek Ward said the county saw 4,261 deaths in total between January to June this year.
The five-year average for Lincolnshire in that time period is 4,258 — just three deaths lower.
However, Mr Ward said that from January to March deaths were 20-30% lower than in previous years.
“And then from week 14 we saw a spike in all cause mortality that, obviously, corresponds with the peak of the epidemic in the county where we were seeing 50% more deaths than we would normally do at that time of year,” he said.
“And then it drops back down as we came back down from the peak and now we’re back to our normal season on average.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has postponed lifting certain COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in response to an increase cases of the virus.
Cinemas, bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos were among the venues due to be able to open from tomorrow (Saturday, August 1), however, will now have to wait until at least August 15.
In a briefing on Friday, Mr Johnson also announced that from August 8, face coverings will be “encouraged” in more venues such as museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship.
He said the government had previously said they “would not hesitate to put the brakes on” if cases rose, and said now was “the time to squeeze that brake pedal in order to keep the virus under control.”
Mr Johnson said: “I’m really, really sorry about that, but we really cannot take the risk.”
Imps lost £1.5m in matchday revenue due to COVID-19
Lincoln City Football Club has missed out on over £1.5 million in matchday revenue as a result of COVID-19, a new analysis shows.
Business Rescue Expert looked at the potential revenue lost by football teams due to coronavirus lockdown. It found the absence of supporters in stadiums has had big detrimental impact on football teams, particularly Lincoln City.
Of all the teams from League One, the Imps rank 5th in the amount of money they have lost, totalling an estimate of £1,509,648.
Lincoln Drill Hall will not reopen until early 2021 at the earliest, as the current government guidance would mean a large majority of its shows would still be “financially unviable”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced earlier this month that indoor performances with socially distanced audiences will be able to take place across the country at indoor theatres, music and performance venues from August 1. Then on Friday he announced a further 15-days delay.
However, Lincoln Drill Hall, New Theatre Royal and the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre have all decided not return any time soon.
Grantham packing factory cutting 19 staff due to COVID
Nineteen staff are at risk of redundancy at a factory in Grantham as part of a restructure of the business caused by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Macfarlane Packaging Design and Manufacture operation on the Alma Park Industrial Estate in Grantham employs 88 staff. It designs and produces protective packaging for high value items for industrial customers.
The packaging site, which is owned by the Macfarlane Group PLC in Scotland, plans to reduce the number of roles down to 69 and a consultation process is underway until the end of August. It will also explore redeploying staff elsewhere in the company.
Anti-social behaviour, a series of criminal damage incidents, and a rise in theft from vehicle offences are among the key issues being tackled by the Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Lincoln.
The NPTs are separate to Lincolnshire Police response officers and every geographical area within Lincoln itself and across the county has their own designated Neighbourhood Policing Team, whose work is currently being celebrated as part of a national week of action from January 17 to 23.
Within Lincoln there are two Neighbourhood Policing Inspectors – Claire Hime, who covers the city centre and south of the city, and Ian Richardson who focuses on the north. The teams are made up of dedicated officers, including community beat managers and PCSOs, who also engage with communities and local schools.
Inspector Hime, who has worked at Lincolnshire Police for 17 years, spoke to The Lincolnite about the Neighbourhood Policing Teams, the successful work they have done and ongoing problems that they are tackling in Lincoln.
She said there is an ongoing problem with anti-social behaviour in the city centre, while there have also been a series of criminal damage incidents in the Foster Street area since the start of January 2022, including rocks being thrown at properties.
In the south of the city, there has been a rise in theft from motor vehicle offences. The incidents have been sporadic and mapped by an analyst, and they have happened all over the Carholme and Boultham Wards of the city. There has also been an issue of youth anti-social behaviour in the Moorland Avenue and Westwick Avenue areas of Lincoln.
And the NPTs have been dealing with a problem with commercial burglaries in the city centre. After a series of incidents, the Neighbourhood Policing Team identified, from detailed descriptions, the incidents were committed by the same person, which led to a conviction.
Sgt Nicky Duke and PCSO Debbie Adams on winter patrols on Steep Hill in Lincoln. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police
Inspector Hime said: “We do proactive patrols but the public are so important. If any area has been identified as having a repeat problem it will go on our daily tasking as a focus of patrol for specific times, locations and persons of interest in that area.
“The public are absolutely the key to how we achieve anything. We can’t operate without public input. The Neighbourhood Policing Teams are all about engagement with the public and we rely on information from the community, and respond to any issues that are reported.
“I would like to say a big thank you for all the reporting there has been and encourage people to continue doing so. Please get in touch with your neighbourhood team and we will do what we can to help.”
The NPTs have been working hard to tackle various other issues including drug supply. Inspector Hime said that a lot of enforcement work was done around drug supply issues back in 2018 when it was a big problem in the city.
From this work a number of factors were identified that were contributing to the problem, and the city had a high level of rough sleepers, which she said was “disproportionately high compared to nationally” at the time. Agencies in the city came up with their own specialist responses to the issue and ever since there has been a dedicated city centre policing team to tackle any arising issues.
PCSO Kay Rowntree on cycle patrols through Lincoln. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police
Inspector Hime said: “Drug supply will always be an issue in a city setting. In terms of Lincoln city centre, the issue has been vastly reduced by the work that’s been done by agencies, with the assistance of communities, the public, and businesses in reporting issues.
“People will still see things that will cause them concern and we still have dedicated resources in place to respond to them, so please do report via the usual reporting systems or with your neighbourhood teams.”
The NPTs also work with agencies including City of Lincoln Council, Lincoln Big, We Are With You and a mental health professional to provide a multi-agency response to any problem solving issue.
They also have fortnightly meetings with representation from the city council to discuss CCTV and other key issues from all the various reporting systems from various agencies.
Inspector Hime would also like to encourage the people of Lincoln to contact their relevant Neighbourhood Policing Team with any concerns or suspicious activity that they have seen. Crime should be reported via 101 of 999, or the various reporting systems, but for general information about safety and to raise concerns it is advised to contact your neighbour team – find your local team here.
The NPTs also post updates via NextDoor or on social media, such as the ‘Lincoln Police’ Facebook page.
Meanwhile, it was announced earlier this month that new CCTV cameras will be installed north of Lincoln city centre after Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner secured an additional £50,000 of funding. Inspector Hime said it will be great “both in terms of crime prevention and detection”.
Secret Symphony’s 50-piece Limelight Orchestra will perform an enhanced ‘one night only’ show at Lincoln Cathedral next month.
The show will celebrate all things space, stars and interstellar under Luke Jerram’s ‘The Museum of The Moon’. It will be performed among immersive lighting and the gaze of a silvery moon.
The Museum of The Moon exhibition will run at Lincoln Cathedral between February 7 and 27, with the exclusive orchestra show taking place during the evening of Saturday, February 26.
Tickets are on sale for the orchestra show priced at between £35.45 and £44.25 – buy tickets here.
The original show toured in 2019 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing.
The exclusive and enhanced show has a reimagined soundtrack that includes tracks from David Bowie, Coldplay, Muse, Public Service Broadcasting, ELO, Pink Floyd, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Jamiroquai, Daft Punk, Elton John, and more.
Greater Lincolnshire’s councils are ahead of the game when it comes to delivering housing according to the latest data from government.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ annual Housing Delivery Test shows that the seven district councils, along with North and North East Lincolnshire Council, have built 13,304 homes – 49.08% higher than the 8,924 they were estimated to require between 2018 and 2021.
The City of Lincoln, North Kesteven and West Lindsey District Councils have a joint plan have delivered 4,925 homes compared to the 2,810 they required. A rise of 75%.
Meanwhile the most advanced authority was South Holland District Council which has delivered 76% more homes than it required.
South Kesteven, despite being the lowest of the Greater Lincolnshire authorities still managed to beat its target by 10%, building 1,851 homes against a requirement of 1,678.
North East Lincolnshire built 61% extra houses, while North Lincolnshire built 13% more than they needed.
The latest data showing the Housing Delivery Test data.
Elsewhere in the country, 51 (16%) of the 320 local planning authorities tracked by the government face sanctions after failing to deliver at least 75% of the homes needed in their area over the past three years.
The Housing Delivery Test was introduced in 2018 in order to track whether councils were meeting local housing needs and help hit a target of 300,000 new homes by the mid-2020s.
It uses local housing need, along with projected average annual household growth, adjustments for affordability and local plans to formulate the required number of homes.
Those that do not meet the target can be forced into a “presumption in favour of sustainable development” position which enables developments to be approved unless adverse impacts “significantly and demonstrably” outweigh the benefits.
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