At least two samples of a new variant of coronavirus have been taken in Lincolnshire, according to a new study.
As the country waits to see whether the government will implement tougher lockdown measures from Boxing Day, data from the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) has looked at where the new variant, called VUI-202012/01, has been found.
A map compiled by COG-UK shows two samples in Lincolnshire up to December 17 — though it notes these are not necessarily the real number of total cases.
According to Sky News, Jeffrey Barrett, lead COVID-19 statistical geneticist at COG-UK, told a Science Media Centre briefing on Tuesday: “They’re relatively small numbers, but I think it is important to be aware that it is certainly not the case that this is just completely geographically constrained to what is the current tier 4 area.”
The data on the new variant has been collected by COG-UK from across the UK. See the map here.
At a Downing Street news conference on Monday, Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, warned more areas in England see tougher restrictions due to the spread of the mutation.
The new variant is known to spread up to 70% faster than the original, however health bosses say there is no evidence it is more dangerous.
But ministers are concerned that more cases, appearing faster, could bring more pressure on the NHS.
MK LHL testing data showing increasing prevalence of H69/V70 variant in positive test data – which is detected incidentally by the commonly used 3-gene PCR test. pic.twitter.com/1U0pVR9Bhs
Government ministers are meeting on Wednesday to discuss if stricter measures should be taken in some of the worst-affected areas of the country.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a fail to stop in Welton, Lincoln.
It’s believed a black or grey 4×4 or SUV vehicle collided with a silver Mini Cooper that was parked along Cliff Road. The incident was reported just after 3pm today.
If you witnessed the collision or have dashcam footage available, please get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 275 of 1st July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 275 of 1st July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
A snack bar in Lincoln has been told to make improvements in several areas after being given a one-star food hygiene rating.
Monks Road Snack Bar, located on 23 Monks Road, was visited by city council inspectors on May 25, 2022 and the rating was recently published on the Food Standards Agency’s website.
The standards found at the time of inspection showed that improvement was necessary in the areas of ‘hygienic food handling’ and the ‘Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building’.
It was also deemed that there was “major improvement necessary” relating to the ‘Management of food safety’.
Monks Road Snack Bar was previously given five-star ratings in June 2016 and September 2018.
The Lincolnite tried to contact the business on numerous occasions throughout the day on Friday, July 1 but the line was continuously engaged.