Follow the latest coronavirus lockdown updates from Lincoln and Lincolnshire.
3,626 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire (up from 3,611)
2,640 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,632)
752 in North Lincolnshire (up from 748)
234 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 231)
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)
466 COVID-19 deaths from Greater Lincolnshire postcodes (no change)
323 from Lincolnshire (no change)
107 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
36 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
Please note: Since the urgent review into how COVID-19 deaths are counted local figures have been removed from the government dashboard.
325,642 cases, 41,429 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.
17th August 2020 2:50pm
17 new COVID-19 cases in Lincolnshire over the weekend
This weekend saw another 17 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Greater Lincolnshire.
The latest government figures, published Sunday, show 13 new COVID-19 positive cases in Lincolnshire and four in North East Lincolnshire.
There have been no additional cases confirmed in North Lincolnshire since Friday.
The current breakdown of the region’s 3,572 cumulative cases is:
2,603 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,590)
742 in North Lincolnshire (no change)
227 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 223)
Hospital data also confirmed no further deaths in their latest figures, bringing the latest tally to 18 days.
Nationally, government data shows increases to 318,484 cases and 41,366 deaths.
However, since an urgent review of how deaths were recorded last week cut more than 5,000 from the data, local figures have been removed from the government dashboard.
It means the changes have not been reflected in local figures.
The government’s dashboard continues to say the deaths page is “being re–developed”.
There have been 99 cases in the region so far in August.
17th August 2020 5:04pm
11 new COVID-19 cases in Lincolnshire on Monday
There have been 11 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Greater Lincolnshire on Monday.
The latest government figures show nine new COVID-19 positive cases in Lincolnshire and two in North East Lincolnshire.
There have been no additional cases confirmed in North Lincolnshire since Friday.
The current breakdown of the region’s 3,583 cumulative cases is:
2,612 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,603)
742 in North Lincolnshire (no change)
229 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 227)
Hospital data also confirmed no further deaths in their latest figures, meaning 18 days without fatalities.
Nationally, government data shows cases increased by 713 to 319,197 cases and deaths rose by three to 41,369.
Since an urgent review of how deaths were recorded last week cut more than 5,000 from the data, local figures had been removed from the government dashboard.
It meant the changes have not been reflected in local figures.
National death figures had returned to the dashboard Monday at the time of publication, however, regional figures still had not appeared.
There have been 110 cases in the region so far in August.
18th August 2020 10:38am
Four new Lincolnshire COVID-19 cases from Newark factory outbreak
Four new coronavirus cases in Lincolnshire have been linked to an outbreak at a factory in Newark, health bosses have confirmed.
Bakkavor’s Dessert Factory has now voluntarily tested 700 of its 1,600+ staff, and confirmed a total of 72 cases.
Of those, 23 are employees who live in Lincolnshire and commute to work, plus three of their family members.
The majority of the workers have only mild symptoms or did not show any symptoms of the virus when they were tested.
With up to 800 more tests due to be carried out at the site, numbers are expected to rise.
Tony McGinty, assistant director of public health at the county council, said: “In Lincolnshire there’s a concentration of people living in City of Lincoln Council area and then there’s a smattering of people just about all over other places in the county.”
He said health bosses in the county were keeping a close eye to make sure there was no “outward spread” from those affected.
However, Mr McGinty said Lincolnshire’s case numbers – although rising slightly higher than before, but in line with national figures – were not worrying.
A total of 7,680 tests have been carried out in Lincolnshire in the past seven days, of which 30 people were found to be positive.
“That’s giving us a positivity rate which is roughly similar to most of the rest of the country, so it’s still relatively low and we’re nowhere near numbers that will give us cause for concern anywhere, but we are still seeing cases every day in Lincolnshire.”
18th August 2020 11:21am
Revised Lincolnshire COVID-19 death figures elude health bosses
Accurate figures for COVID-19 deaths in Lincolnshire continue to elude local health bosses, who say they still don’t know the impact of changes to how they were recorded.
A recent national review saw more than 5,000 deaths across the UK taken off the record as “coronavirus-related”.
Now deaths will only be recorded on the government’s dashboard if they take place within 28 days of a positive test.
However, the revised deaths data does not yet show the numbers at a local level, or if any changes have occurred at all.
Lincolnshire County Council’s assistant director of public health Tony McGinty said: “I asked Public Health England (PHE), when they will be releasing data to a Lincolnshire or sub-Lincolnshire level again and the short answer was they weren’t sure when that was going to be available — so we still do not have the updated numbers.”
Prior to their disappearance from the dashboard, the government’s death tally for Greater Lincolnshire postcodes was 466, broken down as:
Eight new COVID-19 cases in Lincolnshire on Tuesday
There have been eight confirmed cases of coronavirus in Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday.
The latest government figures show five new COVID-19 positive cases in Lincolnshire, one in North East Lincolnshire and two in North Lincolnshire.
Hospital data also confirmed no further deaths in their latest figures, meaning 19 days without fatalities.
The current breakdown of the region’s 3,591 cumulative cases is:
2,617 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,612)
744 in North Lincolnshire (up from 742)
230 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 229)
There have been 118 cases in the region so far in August.
Nationally, government data showed cases increased Tuesday by 1,089 to 320,286 and deaths rose by 12 to 41,381.
Since an urgent review of how deaths were recorded last week cut more than 5,000 from the data, local figures have been removed from the government dashboard.
It means the changes have not been reflected in local figures.
National death figures had returned to the dashboard at the time of publication, however, regional figures still had not appeared.
19th August 2020 4:22pm
Six new COVID-19 cases in Lincolnshire on Wednesday
There have been six new cases of coronavirus in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday.
The latest government figures show four new COVID-19 positive cases in Lincolnshire, and one each in both North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire.
Hospital data also confirmed no further deaths in their latest figures, meaning 20 days without fatalities.
The current breakdown of the region’s 3,597 cumulative cases is:
2,621 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,617)
745 in North Lincolnshire (up from 744)
231 in North East Lincolnshire (up from 230)
There have been 124 cases in the region so far in August.
Nationally, government data showed cases increased Wednesday by 812 to 321,098 and deaths rose by 16 to 41,397.
Since an urgent review of how deaths were recorded last week cut more than 5,000 from the data, local figures have been removed from the government dashboard.
It means the changes have not been reflected in local figures.
National death figures had returned to the dashboard at the time of publication, however, regional figures still had not appeared.
21st August 2020 8:06am
Three weeks without COVID-19 hospital deaths in Lincolnshire
Greater Lincolnshire’s hospitals have gone three weeks without any new coronavirus-related deaths.
NHS data on Thursday showed no further deaths in any of the trusts covering Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire or North East Lincolnshire for 21 days.
However, in the same period, government figures have confirmed 12 deaths of people living in Greater Lincolnshire postcodes, rising from 454 to 466.
This would include care homes, community deaths, or hospitals outside Lincolnshire.
However, an urgent review of how deaths were recorded last week cut more than 5,000 from the national database.
Since then local figures have been removed from the government dashboard which means the changes, or any further increases, have not been reflected in local figures.
There have been six new cases of coronavirus in Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday.
The latest government figures show five new COVID-19 positive cases in Lincolnshire, and one in North Lincolnshire.
North East Lincolnshire did not have any new cases.
The current breakdown of the region’s 3,603 cumulative cases is:
2,626 in Lincolnshire (up from 2,621)
746 in North Lincolnshire (up from 745)
231 in North East Lincolnshire (no change)
There have been 130 cases in the region so far in August.
Nationally, government data showed cases increased Wednesday by 1,182 to 322,280 and deaths rose by six to 41,403.
21st August 2020 10:27am
Lincoln on COVID-19 “red list” due to Newark outbreak
Lincoln has been on a COVID-19 “red list” for a week due to an outbreak of the virus at a factory in Newark which spilled over the border in Lincolnshire, but health bosses are not concerned yet.
So far 24 employees and three family members who live in Lincolnshire tested positive for coronavirus from the outbreak at the Bakkavor Deserts factory..
The sudden increase in cases means Lincoln has been on the “red list” for a week — the longest an authority in Lincolnshire has been.
South Kesteven also appeared in the danger zone for a few days for the same reason but has since dropped off.
Council bosses are adamant, however, that there are no other major concerns in the county apart from the factory outbreak.
“Don’t panic” over holiday quarantines, says Lincolnshire health boss
County health bosses are urging people not to panic over foreign travel restrictions which could mean they have to quarantine on their return from abroad.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that Croatia, Austria and Trinidad and Tobago were being added to the list of countries travellers will need to self-isolate for 14 days after visiting.
However, Portugal will be taken off.
Tony McGinty, assistant director for public health at Lincolnshire County Council said travellers should take the time to consider factors including how safe they feel in the area they are staying and their ability to work from home before rushing back home.
“We’re just encouraging people really to think about consumer protections if they are booking foreign holidays and to make sure that wherever they can they’re booking holidays in ways which gives them protection if they do suddenly have to repatriate quickly.
He also urged employers to support their employees in line with government desires but also to have clear policies around holiday travel.
Lincolnshire COVID-19 cases up 38% in August already
The month of August so far has seen 38% more COVID-19 cases than the whole of July in Lincolnshire.
According to government figures there have been 39 new cases this week, taking the total to 138 for the month so far.
At the end of July there had been 100 cases confirmed for the month, the lowest month since the pandemic began.
Local health bosses said we are so far in line with the national average and that there is no cause for concern, despite Lincoln being on a “red list” for a week due to an outbreak at a factory in neighbouring Newark.
Friday’s data showed six cases in Lincolnshire and two in North Lincolnshire. There were no newcases in North East Lincolnshire.
NHS data for Friday showed no new deaths in any of the hospital trusts covering Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire or North East Lincolnshire for 22 days.
Friday’s figures also recorded no further deaths of Greater Lincolnshire residents in other places such as care homes, community, or hospitals outside Lincolnshire.
However, an urgent review of how deaths were recorded last week cut more than 5,000 from the national database.
Since then local figures have been removed from the government dashboard which means the changes, or any further increases, have not been reflected in local figures.
Nationally, government data showed cases increased Friday by 1,033 to 323,313 and deaths rose by two to 41,405.
Almost 20,000 fines and penalty points will be cancelled due to an error with temporary speed restrictions during roadworks on the A1 at Grantham.
The Lincolnite can reveal 19,089 offences between February 16, 2021 and July 10, 2021 will be scrubbed off the record due to a fault with the speed camera system and temporary 50mph limit.
Lincolnshire Police said the £100 speeding fines (totalling almost £2 million) are in the process of being refunded, and/or penalty points cancelled.
The force is working with National Highways to identify and directly contact motorists who have been affected.
National Highways blamed the issue on “a discrepancy relating to the temporary traffic order” during Lincolnshire County Council’s project to build a new junction at Grantham.
They did not respond to questions over how the error came about by the time of publishing.
It relates to two static speed cameras, one northbound and one southbound on the A1 at Grantham.
While Lincolnshire Police could not provide a total number of fines issued during the period of error, the force said of those whose Notice of Intended Prosecutions are in the process of being cancelled, 18,387 were between 50 and 70mph and 702 were above 70mph.
One driver contacted The Lincolnite when they received a letter from Lincolnshire Police.
They said: “As much as I am relieved to avoid the likely three-point fixed penalty and £100 fine, I think it’s a matter of public interest that other motorists have likely been prosecuted and/or fined for something with no legal basis.”
National Highways head of service delivery, Adrian Oulds said: “Safety is a top priority for National Highways. A temporary speed limit is in place on the carriageway to keep the A1 safe – for both drivers and the construction team – while work takes place.
“There was a discrepancy relating to the temporary traffic order, which means some of the enforcement was invalid and we are working with Lincolnshire Police to resolve this issue.
“However, we encourage all drivers to observe temporary speed limits through roadworks for their own safety.”
Lincolnshire Police Chief Superintendent Paul Timmins said: “We have been made aware by National Highways of a discrepancy relating to a temporary traffic order on the A1 which has meant that some enforcement was invalid regarding the temporary speed restriction.
“National Highways are the lead agency on this matter and are working through the details relating to the exact circumstances.
“We are working with National Highways and other partners to identify and directly contact motorists who might have been affected and will take action accordingly.
“This includes the possibility of refunding fines and/or cancelling penalty points that were awarded during the material time of February 16 and July 10 this year.
“The situation has been rectified and the temporary speed limit is enforceable and so I would urge all drivers to be aware and drive within the speed limit for your safety and that of other road users and the construction workers.”
The family of a much-loved biker who died in a crash on the A46 near Lincoln are urging as many bikers as possible to join his funeral procession later this month.
Damian ‘Damo’ Buckle, 36, died after his motorbike was involved in a collision with a van on the A46, near Dunholme, at around 2.50pm on Friday, August 13.
Damo’s sister Lisa Mellor contacted The Lincolnite to help get as many bikers as possible for his final ride. She said the meeting place will be Ruston Sports & Social Club at 9.40am on Wednesday, September 22, with a procession of bikers following to Lincoln Crematorium.
Damian loved his motorbike and Guy Martin was his idol. | Photo: Submitted by family
Lisa said: “Damian was a well loved brother, son, dad and friends to so many. Damian had a heart of gold and helped a lot of people.
“He raised money for mental health charities and others. He loved his bike and ‘Willy’ [Willingham] Woods deeply and doted on his two boys.
“He has left such a big gap in our family and will be forever missed. Our hearts are broken.”
Damian with his mum Julie. | Photo: Submitted by family
Damian (centre) with his family – Claire Buckle (sister), Julie Mellor (mum), Lisa Mellor (sister), Sarah Buckle (sister). | Photo: Submitted
Friends, including fellow Lincoln strongman Dave Johnson, and Damo’s family previously paid tribute to the 36-year-old.
Damo’s long-term partner Kim Knott, who he shared one-year-old Theo-James with, described him as “the happiest, most laid-back guy you could ever wish to meet”. Damian also leaves a ten-year-old son, his mother, step dad and three sisters.
Kim said: “He was the happiest, most laid-back guy you could ever wish to meet, and would do anything for anyone who needed it. He helped a man he’d never met push his bike all the way to a garage once when he saw him with a puncture.
“When we met, he made me realise that there was more to me and my life than I was living, and changed me into the person I am today. He gave advice and talked to you. That was just the kind of person he was.”
Damian was popular among his biker friends. | Photo: Submitted
A static car/bike meet was held in Damo’s honour during the evening Saturday, August 21. A large group of people gathered for the memorial, but the event was tarnished by cars crashing into spectators. Four people are understood to still be fighting for their lives, including a man who was in an induced coma and has since been moved to the high dependency unit.
Banners have gone up at Lincoln’s South Common to remind people not to feed the horses after recent incidents of the animals dying from passers-by giving them food.
There are around eight or nine horses left on the South Common in Lincoln, and Charlotte Houlden, owner of one of the animals, has said that feeding of the horses is a “daily occurrence” despite regular warnings of its dangers.
To try to combat this issue, local resident Wendy Miller wanted to put banners up on the railings to remind everyone that they should not be feeding the horses.
The sign is in both English and Polish, as the message reads clear. | Photo: Wendy Miller
The banners were made by Kate Baldwin of Impress Prints & Branding, who offered to create them free of charge after the spate of horse deaths.
They read “please do not feed the horses” in both English and Polish, accompanied with pictures of some of the foods that are not suitable for the horses to be given.
Owners are hoping it will help keep the horses safe from foods that are toxic to them. | Photo: Wendy Miller
Horse deaths on the South Common were seen as a growing threat by owners of the animals, which prompted the banners to be put up.
Signage had previously been put up in the area warning people against feeding the horses, but had since been taken down.
Horse owners are urging people not to feed their animals on the South Common in Lincoln. | Photo: Charlotte Houlden
Wendy Miller, who helped organise the placing of the new banners, told The Lincolnite: “Ever since that horse sadly died on South Common as a result of being fed cakes, we wanted to fundraise to have banners printed.
“They are there to warn people of the dangers of feeding horses, and thankfully Kate Baldwin offered to do it free of charge! Hopefully it can spread awareness.”
A young woman killed in a crash on the Lincoln Eastern Bypass has been named as Rosemary Earle from Cranwell Village, near Sleaford.
The inquest hearing at Lincolnshire Coroners’ Court heard how Rosemary, 28, died from a head injury, pending further tests, after a crash involving her car and a van, between the Branston and Bracebridge Heath roundabouts at about 4.30am on September 3.
Lincolnshire Police say the investigation into the circumstances of the crash is still ongoing, and they have not made any arrests.
If you have any information that may help police, call 101 or email [email protected] using incident 43 of September 3 as a reference.
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