New COVID-19 testing centre opens in Lincoln

A man in his 30s has been arrested as police investigate the suspicious, yet unexplained death of an 11-year-old boy in Lincoln on Friday night.

The death was reported to Lincolnshire Police at 10.05pm on January 22, on Geneva Avenue in the city, near St Giles.

Police said the man was arrested in relation to the incident, but no further details have released at this stage.

We’ll update you as we know more.

There have been 1,643 new coronavirus cases and 83 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire this week – compared to 1,670 cases and 71 deaths last week.

Some 304 new cases and 17 deaths were reported in Greater Lincolnshire on Friday – the third day in a row with 17 deaths.

The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 252 new cases in Lincolnshire, 28 in North Lincolnshire and 24 in North East Lincolnshire.

On Friday, 14 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire, two in North East Lincolnshire and one in North Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

NHS England reported six new local hospital deaths at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, four at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and one at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals. Some 51 hospital deaths have been recorded this week, compared to 48 last week.

On Friday, national cases increased by 40,261 to 3,583,907, while deaths rose by 1,401 to 95,981.

Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate over the last seven days up to January 22 according to the government dashboard:

Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Jan 15 to Jan 22. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite

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Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Friday, January 22

Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.

45,645 cases (up 304)

• 31,814 in Lincolnshire (up 252)
• 7,067 in North Lincolnshire (up 28)
• 6,764 in North East Lincolnshire (up 24)

1,760 deaths (up 17)

• 1,255 from Lincolnshire (up 14)
• 272 from North Lincolnshire (up one)
• 233 from North East Lincolnshire (up two)

of which 1,047 hospital deaths (up 11)

• 638 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up six)
• 32 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (up one)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 376 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up four)

3,583,907 UK cases, 95,981 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.

The COVID mutation that has taken over most new cases in Lincolnshire is not only more infectious, but may also be more deadly, it has been revealed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there is “some evidence” the new variant of COVID-19 which is more transmissible could have a “higher degree of mortality”.

However, he said all current evidence continued to show that vaccines remain effective.

Health bosses in Lincolnshire on Friday estimated 80-90% of new coronavirus cases were the new variant.

Boris Johnson told reporters that there were currently no plans to change lockdown rules saying “this is the right package of measures” and that it was down to people obeying the current lockdown and enforcement.

Mr Johnson was speaking during a press briefing on Friday where health bosses said 1 in 55 people now had coronavirus in England.

There are now more than 38,000 people in hospital nationally – 78% higher than the peak of the first wave.

Mr Johnson said: “We’ve been informed today that in addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, first identified in London and the south-east, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.

“It’s largely the impact of this new variant that means the NHS is under such intense pressure.”

In response to questions over death spikes caused by the new variant he said: “Death numbers will continue to be high for a little while to come.”

Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said there was already confidence the new virus spread more easily, but that it was unclear why that was.

He said there was no difference in terms of age range being affected.

Sir Vallance added the outcome for those in hospital with the new variant was the same, however, there was evidence “there’s increased risk for those who have the new variant, compared to the old virus”.

Early evidence suggests the difference shows 13-14 deaths per 1,000 infected as opposed to 10 in 1,000 for the original virus.

However, he added: “That evidence is not yet strong, it’s a series of different bits of information that come together to support that, and I want to put it into context as to what it might mean.

“But I’m stressing that these data are currently uncertain and we don’t have a very good estimate of the precise nature, or indeed, whether it is overall increase.”

He confirmed there was increasing evidence the new variant would be susceptible to the vaccines and studies of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine showed “very good neutralisation”.

“There’s increasing confidence, coupled with I think what is a very important clinical observation, which is that individuals who’ve been infected previously, and have generated antibodies, appear to be equally protected against original virus and new variant,” he added.

England’s Chief medical office Chris Whitty said there had been a “turning the corner” for the number of people catching the virus, adding it was coming down from an “exceptionally” high level.

A Lincoln couple will reopen their independent pizzeria at a new location on Friday night, with an array of main and signature pizzas and Belgian waffles.

Weirdough’s Pizza Emporium will open at Tap & Spile on Hungate from 5pm on Friday, January 22, but it initially started out as a charity project making Neo-Neapolitan pizzas.

Husband and wife team Matt and Rachel Barnes have lived in Lincoln for around five years and last year they wanted to do something to raise money for the NHS.

Matt starting to prepare a pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Kneading the dough. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Matt used to work at a Lincoln school, but they were closed to most pupils for a few weeks in March, so he started working on a project and Weirdoughs Pizza Emporium was born.

It was initially run from The West End Tap from the end of last summer, but in January the pub announced it would not reopen again under its current management, so Weirdoughs had to find a new premises.

The base ready for the next stage of the pizza making. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Matt putting the pizza into the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The tasty pizza in the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Adding the finishing touches to the pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

All profits made from the food sold – just under £2,000 – went to the NHS. The couple also did some drop offs at the coronavirus ward at Lincoln County Hospital.

Matt was made redundant at the end of May and Rachel was due to give birth four weeks after that.

It was a hectic time for the couple as Rachel, who works at a primary school in Peterborough, would be on maternity leave and Matt would soon have no income.

The Margz main pizza – San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Weirdough – San Marzano tomatoes, parmesan, Emmental, mozzarella, red onions, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, spicy Nduja sausage, rocket, balsamic glaze and garlic drizzle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

As the pizzas were working so well and following feedback from customers, the couple decided to turn it into a business.

Dan Neale, who previously ran the West End Tap, has joined the Weirdoughs team of four as a pizza chef.

Or why not try a Create Your Own Weirdoughs Waffle? | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The dough is homemade 24 hours ahead to make their special main and signature pizzas, while customers can also order a create your own Weirdoughs waffle.

The Belgian waffles come with a variety of toppings such as Kinder Bueno, Crunchie, and Galaxy Caramel, with sauces including white and milk chocolate, salted caramel and toffee, with ice cream.

Weirdoughs will open Friday to Sunday 5pm-9pm and Wednesday to Thursday 5pm-8pm for takeaway or delivery.

Pre-ordering is advised via Facebook or Instagram or by calling 07734 297 035, with the latter option preferred if it is after 4.30pm.

Owner Matt Barnes will help meet your pizza needs. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Delivery is available to the following areas: Ermine, St Giles, Monks Road, High Street, Bailgate, Boultham, West End and the city centre.

Weirdoughs will try and accommodate other areas too, but it may incur additional charges, while the takeaway will also be joining Uber Eats in the near future.

Weirdoughs will be based inside the Tap & Spile pub in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Once pubs are allowed to reopen again, customers at the Tap & Spile will able to order Weirdoughs food straight to their table and Matt said he can’t wait for people to able to experience it that way.