Nearly 90 schools and 10 nurseries in Lincolnshire have positive cases of coronavirus on Monday.
Lincolnshire County Council said on October 26, the start of October half term, that it is working with 89 schools with COVID-19 infections, with Alford Primary School the most recent to be added to the list.
It is also working with ten nurseries, with Mon Ami Day Nursery in Alford the most recent addition.
There are 31 schools, pre-schools/early years and other education settings in North East Lincolnshire with active cases. There have been at least seven schools with cases in North Lincolnshire.
Hawthorn Tree School (Boston), Woodlands Academy (Spilsby), Springwell Alternative Academy (Grantham), St George’s Academy (Ruskington) and Little Learners Pre-School (Lincoln) are the schools currently closed, according to the county council’s list.
When there is a positive result at a school it is considered an active case for 14 days. This period will start afresh if there is another positive case at the school. This is why some schools remain on the active case list longer than others.
Tony McGinty, consultant in public health, said: “As of this Monday, Lincolnshire’s Health Protection Team is currently working with 89 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):
Alford Primary School
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)
Caistor Yarborough Academy
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
Blyton Cum Laughton Primary School
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
Lincoln St Christopher’s Special School
Long Sutton Primary School
Market Deeping Community Primary
Springwell Alternative Academy, Grantham (closed)
St Nicholas Primary, Boston
Community Learning in Partnership, Gainsborough
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)
Swinderby All Saints Primary School
University Academy Holbeach
Carre’s Grammar School, Sleaford
Louth Academy
Boston Grammar School
Hartsholme Academy, Lincoln
Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School
Harlaxton Primary School, Grantham
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
Public Health are also aware of the following 10 nurseries with positive cases (new in bold at the top):
Mon Ami Day Nursery, Alford
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
North East Lincolnshire
There are 31 schools, pre-schools/early years and other education settings with active cases in North East Lincolnshire.
The figure given on Friday, October 23 was less than half of this number at 14, but it has been confirmed to The Lincolnite that this was due to a miscommunication in providing the data which has since been clarified.
The list includes the following schools with active cases:
Tollbar Academy
Grimsby Institute
Ormiston Maritime Academy
Cleethorpes Academy
Franklin College
Healing Science Academy
Humberston Academy
William Barcroft Junior School
Humberston CE Primary School
Signhills Academy
Havelock Academy
Weelsby Academy
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.
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Hundreds of people queued outside Debenhams and at several barbers and salons in the city as Lincoln, and the rest of England, entered the next stage of the roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown on Monday, April 12.
The latest rules allow for the retail sector to fully reopen its doors for customers again, two weeks after the previous lockdown easing on March 29 which resumed outdoor socialising for up to six people – see the list of rules here.
Debenhams especially had a big queue as it got nearer to its 10am reopening time for its final ever closing down sale before it closes permanently later this year.
The queue for Debenhams went round the corner. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Kutz Barber Shop on Newport also had a long line of people eagerly awaiting their lockdown cut in what is expected to be a busy day for hairdressers and barbers in the city.
People were also seen waiting outside barbers including Barbershop By Giovanni on Guildhall Street in Lincoln, and several other barber shops down the lower High Street.
People were also keen to get a lockdown haircut with queues including at Kutz Barber Shop on Newport in Lincoln. | Photo: Daniel Jaines for The Lincolnite
The queue outside Barbershop By Giovanni on Guildhall Street in Lincoln. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Primark also had a queue outside, although not to the same huge extent as when it reopened after previous lockdown easing last summer when people were waiting from as early as 6am. The queue didn’t get longer until later this time.
The queue at Primark in Lincoln continued to get longer as the morning went on. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Énergie Fitness (Lincoln City) reopened in the Cornhill and reportedly had queues before 6am as gyms welcomed back their customers again.
People are also looking forward to having a pint with friends and family as pubs and bars can serve now customers outside. They will be able to reopen inside from May 17.
Shops in Lincoln are excited to be back open again. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The High Street was quieter before 9am, with less mad rushes this time! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A City Centre Warden on Lincoln High Street as more businesses reopened on April 12. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
The windows being cleaned at House of Fraser in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Volunteers from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue helped save the life of a fox who was “minutes away from being killed” just outside the coastal town.
The team received a call about a fox with its neck in a snare on Sunday, April 11. However, as the volunteers drove to the scene near North Thoresby they got another call to say the fox was about to be shot.
After arriving at the scene, the team had a short discussion with the land owner who agreed to let them relocate the fox rather than kill it (for the safety of his livestock).
Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue said: “As we were getting it out of the snare, the shooter arrived and all we could say is ‘You’re one lucky fox’.
“This young boy is now going to be relocated in a similar area near to a friend we know who loves foxes and will be able to help us to ensure it settles in.”
The fox was saved from being killed. | Photo: Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue
The fox has since been released and the team are also going to support the land owner with non-lethal measures going forward.
The rescue team told The Lincolnite: “We are so thankful that the land owner decided to let us relocate the fox rather than it being killed.
“Sadly, foxes can’t distinguish between a wild meal and a farmers’ livestock, and this is what causes so much hatred for foxes in the countryside.
“They’re beautiful and incredibly smart animals, but this is often what gets them in trouble!
“After getting the fox into a travel crate we spent about 20 minutes talking to the land owner and his friend about the wildlife in the area and how we could work together for any future foxes rather than them being put to sleep. It was a good outcome for all!”
Earlier this month, Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue helped with the emergency rescue of a seal pup.
As a volunteer rescue service, it does not get any funding aside from donations via fundraising to save wildlife and keep up with the regular food and vet bills.
The team are currently trying to fundraise for up to four intensive care incubators – make a donation here.
Two Lincoln boys have been commended by Lincolnshire Police for their quick thinking in reporting a knife they found on their way to school.
Diego and Cohen, who are in Year 6 at St Peter at Gowts Church of England Primary School, found the steel vegetable knife under a Jeep Cherokee on St Martin’s Street in Lincoln in March.
The 10-year-old boys reported it to a teacher as soon as they arrived at school. The school reported it to police and the weapon was retrieved by PCSO James Lingard, who is from Lincoln’s Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The steel vegetable knife was found under a Jeep Cherokee in Lincoln. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police
Police are unsure how the knife got there, but don’t believe it was used in a crime. The knife has since been destroyed.
The boys said: “We spotted something shiny under the car and then we realised it was a knife. We knew that we shouldn’t touch it but that we had to let someone know, so we told our teacher straight away.
“It was really scary as we were worried that someone might find it and use it to do something bad with it like hurt themselves or someone else.
“Our school and our parents were really pleased that we made a good choice and it was really exciting that officer Lingard came to see us at school too.”
Emma Bradley, Year 6 teacher at the school, added: “It is really heart-warming for us to see our pupils making a difference in the local community.
“We are really proud of the actions of Cohen and Diego and both are absolutely over the moon to have been recognised by the police.”
PCSO Lingard was also full of praise for the boys and he said: “Cohen and Diego made an outstanding decision and their quick thinking ensured that we could take the knife away before anyone could move it.
“It is still a mystery how the knife got there but we don’t believe it had been used in any crime thankfully and its now been destroyed.
“Through our Operation Raptor we work to help young people understand the dangers and consequences of knives and we will be sure to tell other school children of how Cohen and Diego helped to keep Lincoln safe.”
North Kesteven has the most over 50s vaccinated with the first dose of a COVID-19 jab in Lincolnshire, whereas Boston has the least.
However, South Kesteven has the most 18 to 49 year olds vaccinated in Greater Lincolnshire with Lincoln having the least, according to research by Sky News.
New data by NHS England up to April 8 reveals that 97.3% of over 50s have received their first coronavirus jab in North Kesteven, ranked 48th nationally, with 91.5% receiving their first dose in Boston (277th out of 314).
It’s a different picture in the 18 to 49 age bracket, with the most first doses given in South Kesteven (41%) and the least in Lincoln (25.6%).
The number of new COVID-19 vaccinations in Lincolnshire last week dropped by nearly 35%, but overall there were more than 419,000 first doses now administered, over 75% of the total eligible population.
Here’s what percentage your district has been COVID vaccinated with a first dose based on age and where it’s ranked nationally:
48th – North Kesteven – 97.3% 50+ (37.6% 18-49)
91st – South Kesteven – 96.5% 50+ (41% 18-49)
114th – East Lindsey – 96.2% 50+ (39.3% 18-49)
115th – West Lindsey – 96.2% 50+ (34.6% 18-49)
159th – North Lincolnshire – 95.3% 50+ (31.4% 18-49)
175th – Lincoln – 95.1% 50+ (25.6% 18-49)
211th – North East Lincolnshire – 94.4% 50+ (28.4% 18-49)