More badgers will be shot in Lincolnshire as the government expands its cull of the animal, despite the county being a low risk area for bovine tuberculosis.
The government has revealed that badgers will be culled in 11 new parts of England despite recently pledging to move away from culling and to expand measures including vaccination. This will allow for the legal shooting of badgers to control the spread of bovine TB.
Defra’s advice to Natural England on setting the minimum and maximum numbers of badgers to be culled in licensed areas during 2020 was published this month, covering 33 existing and 11 new areas.
It means badger culling will now be permitted in Avon, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Lincolnshire.
The RSPCA said initial target numbers suggest that up to 70,000 badgers could be shot this year.
A potential ‘hotspot’ area was established in June 2018 after they found Mycobacterium bovis in a cattle herd in south west Lincolnshire in December 2017.
The government said that there have been three M.Bovis positive ‘found dead’ badgers identified in the hotspot.
Opposition to the badger cull
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust said it will not allow culling of badgers on its land. After its latest campaign, over 14,500 people have written to their MPs to raise concerns about the issue.
The trust said that after seven years of badger culling, the government has “failed again to move forward with its own advice” and is expanding the culling programme into more regions including Lincolnshire.
It also believes the science used to justify the killing of thousands of badgers every year in the UK is “flawed”.
Tammy Smalley, Head of Conservation at the trust, said: “This is a staggering and deeply disappointing decision from government which will result in many healthy badgers dying across the UK’s countryside this autumn.”
Adam Grogan, Head of the RSPCA’s wildlife department, said: “We are shocked that the government is stepping up its inhumane and ineffective badger cull despite its recently announced commitment to “government-supported badger vaccination and surveillance”.
He added: “Earlier this year, the government in England gave a clear commitment to support and develop badger vaccination programmes as a way of controlling bovine TB in cattle. The proposed licensing of cull areas in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire go against this commitment.
“With Lincolnshire being in a low risk area, we wonder what the evidence is to show that there is TB in the badger population and also how it got there.”
Wildlife enthusiast and RSPCA Vice President Chris Packham also said “the badger cull is not the answer”.
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There has been a second consecutive record day for coronavirus cases across Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday, as Northern Lincolnshire will go into “high” tier 2 restrictions from Saturday.
The latest UK coronavirus dashboard figures as of Thursday evening showed a total of 391 new cases, with 202 in Lincolnshire, 61 in North Lincolnshire and 128 in North East Lincolnshire.
It means there have been now been 6,351 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire in October.
It has been confirmed this afternoon that North and North East Lincolnshire will go into tier 2 (high) lockdown from midnight on Saturday, October 31. See what the new rules mean.
According to the latest data, in North East Lincolnshire, weekly case rates stand at 320 people per 100,000. This increases to 402 per 100,000 in those aged 17-21 and is 225 per 100,000 in the over 60s.
In North Lincolnshire, weekly case rates stand at 196 people per 100,000. This increases to 272 per 100,000 in those aged 17-21 and is 131 per 100,000 in the over 60s.
A chart showing how case numbers in North East Lincolnshire have changed up to October 29.
A chart showing how case numbers in North Lincolnshire have changed up to October 29.
NHS figures reported two new COVID-related deaths at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust.
Meanwhile, the government’s coronavirus dashboard, which includes those both in and out of hospitals and those of residents in hospitals outside the county, reported the deaths of five residents in Lincolnshire.
Nationally, cases increased by 23,065 to 965,340, while deaths jumped by 280 to 45,955.
Lincolnshire is currently still on the medium (tier 1) level for the the new three-tier lockdown system of COVID-19 risk, which means it has no extra restrictions on top of the nation-wide ones.
Derek Ward Lincolnshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Looking at our current data, in my professional opinion, there is no reason to change our alert level at this point.”
Elsewhere the fallout of Nottinghamshire moving into tier three continues as more details have been revealed around restrictions – including travel into and out of the area.
Lincolnshire Police have also been encouraging people to be safe with their Halloween celebrations this year, including when trick or treating.
Grimsby has the highest infections rates in our region, and will take Scunthorpe into tier 2 lockdown with it. | Map: Public Health England
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire for Thursday, October 29
10,943 cases (up 391)
6,938 in Lincolnshire (up 202)
2,133 in North Lincolnshire (up 61)
1,872 in North East Lincolnshire (up 128)
460 deaths (up five)
318 from Lincolnshire (up five)
95 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
47 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
of which 303 hospital deaths (up two)
162 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up two)
6 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
134 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
965,340 UK cases, 45,955 deaths
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.
A further six schools with positive cases of coronavirus have been confirmed on Thursday.
Lincolnshire County Council said on October 29 that it is working with 97 schools and 12 nurseries with COVID-19 infections.
The latest schools to be added to the council’s list on Thursday are: Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (Alford), Sturton by Stow Primary School, Wyberton Primary School (Boston), Burton Hathow Preparatory School (Lincoln) and Huttoft Primary and Nursery School (Alford).
Giles Academy in Old Leake, which is not yet on the council’s list, confirmed on Sunday that a student in Year 10 had tested positive for coronavirus. That student has been self-isolating with his family since October 16 due to a family member being symptomatic.
In a follow-up letter later the same day, the school confirmed that there was also a positive COVID-19 case of a student in Year 8. A decision was made to isolate the Year 8 cohort, with those students able to return to school on November 6.
Friskney All Saints C O E Primary School also reportedly has a case and the school was contacted for confirmation, but there was no reply by the time of publication.
Hawthorn Tree School (Boston), Woodlands Academy (Spilsby), Springwell Alternative Academy (Grantham), St George’s Academy (Ruskington), Little Learners Pre-School (Lincoln) and YPLP (Lincoln) are the schools currently closed.
Blyton cum Laughton CE Primary School, Community Learning in Partnership (Gainsborough), Lincoln St Christopher’s Special School, Harlaxton Primary School (Grantham), St Nicholas Primary (Boston), Swinderby All Saints Primary School and University Academy Holbeach were removed from the council’s list on Thursday as they are no longer active cases with Public Health England.
Tony McGinty, consultant in public health, said: “As of this morning, Lincolnshire’s Health Protection Team is currently working with 97 schools that have had confirmed cases of coronavirus.
“All schools continue to report the situation to us and are taking action to limit the potential spread of the virus when schools return – this will mean some pupils and staff self-isolating as a precaution where necessary during half term. Because of the length of isolation periods involved this may affect return to school for some people.
“Like the rest of the country, Lincolnshire has seen case numbers rise in recent weeks, and an increasing number of schools affected.
“However, the majority of schools will fully open next week, and those affected are working really well to limit both the risk of the virus spreading and the impact on the pupils’ education.”
Schools with current confirmed cases (new in bold at the top):
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School
Sturton by Stow Primary School
Wyberton Primary School
Burton Hathow Preparatory School
Huttoft Primary and Nursery School
Giles Academy, Old Leake
Lincoln College
Queen Elizabeth High School, Gainsborough
Hackthorn Primary School
Kesteven and Sleaford High School
Lincoln Castle Academy
Lincoln Carlton Academy
Bluecoat Meres Academy, Grantham
Kesteven and Grantham Girls School
Barrowby Primary School
Billingborough Primary School
The Priory Academy LSST
Priory Ruskin Academy, Grantham
Boston College
Hawthorn Tree School, Boston (closed)
Haven High Academy, Boston
Malcolm Sargent Primary School, Stamford
St George’s Academy, Sleaford
St Peter and St Paul Academy, Lincoln
Kirkstone House School, Baston
Stamford Endowed Schools
Manor Leas Junior School, Lincoln
St Hugh’s Catholic Primary, Lincoln
Ermine Academy, Lincoln
St Giles Academy, Lincoln
Branston Community College Academy
Grantham College
Kelsey Primary School
Birchwood Junior School, Lincoln
Great Steeping Primary School, Spilsby
Walton Academy, Grantham
Woodlands Academy, Spilsby (closed)
Skegness Academy
Castle Wood Academy, Gainsborough
The King’s School, Grantham
Westgate Academy, Lincoln
William Farr School, Welton, Lincoln
Sir William Robertson Academy, Welbourn, Lincoln
Kisimul School Acacia Hall, Freisthorpe
Leslie Manser Primary, Lincoln
Long Sutton Primary School
Market Deeping Community Primary
Springwell Alternative Academy, Grantham (closed)
Grantham Preparatory International School
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Horncastle
St Michael’s Primary School, Thorpe on the Hill
University Academy Long Sutton
Denton Primary School, Grantham
Bridge House Independent School, Boston
Charles Read Academy, Grantham
De Aston School, Market Rasen
The Lancaster School, Lincoln
The St Sebastian Primary School, Grantham
Waddington All Saints Academy
Bourne Academy
Claypole Primary School
St George’s Academy, Ruskington (closed)
Carre’s Grammar School, Sleaford
Louth Academy
Boston Grammar School
Hartsholme Academy, Lincoln
Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School
Holbeach Primary Academy
Priory Pembroke Academy, Cherry Willingham
Little Learners Pre-School, Lincoln (closed)
The Deepings School
Spalding High School
Manor Farm Academy, North Hykeham
Scampton Primary School
Sutterton Fourfields Primary School, Boston
St Botolph’s Primary School, Sleaford
Fleet Wood Lane Primary School, Spalding
King Edward VI Academy, Spilsby
Kirkby on Bain Primary School
Spalding Parish School
The National Junior School, Grantham
William Alvey School, Sleaford
Barnes Wallis Academy, Tattershall
Bourne Grammar School
Spalding Academy
Tedder County Primary School, Ashby de la Launde, Lincoln
Alford Primary School
Caistor Grammar School
St Thomas CE Primary Academy, Boston
White Wood’s Academy, Gainsborough
Scotter Primary School
Village pre-school at Manor Farm, North Hykeham
Bardney CE Primary School
Wragby Primary School
Linchfield Primary School, Deeping St James
The Gainsborough Parish Church CE Primary School
Thomas Cowley High School, Spalding
YPLP, Lincoln (closed)
Public Health are also aware of the following 12 nurseries with positive cases (new in bold at the top):
Smartie Pants Day Nursery, Mablethorpe
Town and Country Kiddies Nursery, Louth
Seashells Nursery, Mablethorpe
Angels Childcare, Lincoln
Little Learners Nursery, Skegness
Nutwood Day Nursery, Lincoln
Clarence House Day Nursery, Grantham
Little Acorns Day Nursery, Boston
Elsaforde Nursery, Sleaford
Sunflowers Nursery, Saxilby
Mon Ami Day Nursery, Alford
Young Tots Nursery, Lincoln
North East Lincolnshire
There are 31 schools, pre-schools/early years and other education settings with active cases in North East Lincolnshire, according to the latest available data provided on Monday, October 26.
Meanwhile, Cleethorpes Academy sent a letter to parents/carers on Thursday stating that all students must wear a suitable face covering when travelling to and from school and when in corridors and other communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be observed.
This will be discussed with all students on Monday, November 2, who may remove the coverings in all classrooms.
North Lincolnshire
There have been at least seven schools with cases in North Lincolnshire since term restarted.
However, North Lincolnshire Council said it was unable to provide any data regarding schools in the region with coronavirus cases.
People in North and North East Lincolnshire cannot socialise with anybody outside their home or support bubble indoors after moving into tier 2 lockdown.
The latest weekly case rates show that 320 people per 100,000 have tested positive for the virus in North East Lincolnshire, and 196 per 100,000 in North Lincolnshire.
Comparatively, Lincoln has 254 cases per 100,000 people, 58 more than North Lincolnshire, but will stay in tier 1 for now.
The move to the next tier means that additional restrictions will be put in place, different to the current tier 1 settings.
You must not meet up with family or friends in any indoor setting (including homes, venues, pubs and restaurants), unless you’ve formed a support bubble with them
You cannot stay overnight in another person’s home, unless you’ve formed a bubble with them
You can meet friends and family who you don’t live with outdoors, for example, in a private garden, parks and open spaces, but you must keep 2m apart. Where you do meet up, there must be no more than six people together.
You can continue to travel for work purposes and to venues, but you should reduce the number of journeys where possible.
You should work from home if this is possible.
Weddings and Funerals: up to 15 guests are allowed at weddings, up to 30 guests for funerals.
Education settings, shopping, retail, leisure and gyms remain open.
Hospitality services remain open, with the 10pm closing time and table service only.
Residential care homes are closed to external visitors other than in exceptional circumstances.
Organised sport is allowed in outdoor settings. Indoor sport must follow social contact rules.
Places of worship remain open.
Childcare: registered and wraparound childcare, including supervised activities in private homes and children’s groups are permitted.
Most rules do remain the same in between tiers, including hospitality staying open until 10pm, 15 guests being allowed at weddings and overnight stays being permitted.
Leisure centres and gyms, shopping and retail, places of worship, healthcare services, education sectors and entertainment attractions stay open despite the move to tier 2.
North and North East Lincolnshire will avoid tier 3 for now, meaning that pubs and bars that don’t serve meals can stay open and wedding receptions can still go ahead.
However, people in tier 2 will not be able to mix with people from other households or social bubbles in indoor settings, including pubs.
Both tier 1 and 2 advise against travel into tier 3 areas, with some exceptions. See the details here.
Tier 3 puts entertainment and tourist attractions, as well as gyms, under risk of closing too with the latest guidance stating: “Any closures or additional restrictions subject to consultation.”
As it stands, the rest of Greater Lincolnshire will stay in tier 1 lockdown, with Lincolnshire County Council’s director for public health stating there is no reason for the alert level to change in the county yet.
Lincolnshire is tier 1 – medium – lockdown.
The restrictions for tier 2 – high – lockdown.
The restrictions for tier 3 – very high – lockdown.
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