There have been 322 new coronavirus cases and 20 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 263 new cases in Lincolnshire, 46 in North Lincolnshire and 13 in North East Lincolnshire.
On Tuesday, 14 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire, four in North East Lincolnshire and two in North Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county. Lincolnshire deaths have hit 800 since the pandemic started.
NHS England reported six new local hospital deaths on Tuesday, including four at United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust, one at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and one at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals. Since the pandemic started, United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust has now had more than 400 deaths.
On Tuesday, national cases increased by 18,450 to 1,888,116 while deaths rose by 506 to 64,908.
In local news, health bosses have said Lincolnshire’s coronavirus numbers are “still very volatile” and do not expect the county to go down a tier in the government’s announcement on Wednesday.
People hoping to spend time with their extended family over the Christmas period are being told to “knuckle down” in the festive run-up.
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues across England, with local community sites dedicated to giving out the jab opening in two Lincolnshire towns — Louth and Grantham.
Four Greater Lincolnshire authorities are now below the national average infection rate according to new government data: South Holland, South Kesteven, North and North East Lincolnshire, so there is some hope Northern Lincolnshire could go down a tier.
On Tuesday, 10 Lincolnshire schools recorded a pupil or member of staff with COVID-19 in the last seven days. The current infection rate for school age children in Lincolnshire is 186 cases per 100,000, which is lower than the rate of 255 cases per 100,000 for all ages.
Nationally, scientists and academics have warned that mixing at Christmas is a “terrible idea” and will cause a spike in infections. No 10 has admitted Christmas mixing guidance is “under review”.
This comes after the health secretary, Matt Hancock announced Monday that new tier restrictions will be put in place for certain areas in England.
This will affect nearly 10.8 million people and will mean that from Wednesday morning, at least 61% of England’s population will be under the toughest restrictions – tier 3.
Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate up to December 14 according to the government dashboard:
Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate from Dec 7 to Dec 14. | Data: GOV UK / Table: The Lincolnite
Lincolnshire’s cases up to December 15.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire for Tuesday, December 15
31,685 cases (up 322)
20, 706 in Lincolnshire (up 263)
5,356 in North Lincolnshire (up 46)
5,623 in North East Lincolnshire (up 13)
1,185 deaths (up 20)
803 from Lincolnshire (up 14)
198 from North Lincolnshire (up two)
184 from North East Lincolnshire (up four)
of which 716 hospital deaths (up six)
401 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up four)
17 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (up one)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
297 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up one)
1,888,116 UK cases, 64,908 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.
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: