Lincoln sports bar puts COVID jab and test restrictions for Euros punters

Lincoln has the highest COVID infection rate in the whole of the UK, according to the latest government data – thanks largely to a spike in the centre of the city.

The government’s daily case tables, based on lab-reported or lateral flow positive tests, for the seven days up to July 29 showed Lincoln had recorded a rate of 653.6 per 100,000 of the population.

As of August 4, it’s the highest rate in the UK – above Belfast (650 per 100,000 of the population) and Middlesborough (573.1).

A total of 649 positive cases were recorded in the city.

Local data broken down by wards shows the case rate shot up to 1,250.2 per 100,000 people in the city centre (Wharf & University), with 137 positive cases recorded – a rise of 197.8%.

There was also a significant rise in the Pelham Bridge and South Common area.

Data recorded in the city over the seven days up to July 29 shows:

• Cathedral & West Common – 79 cases (75.6% rise), 645.1 per 100,000
• Monks Road, St Giles & Greetwell – 97 cases (177.1% rise), 798.2 per 100,000
• Pelham Bridge & South Common – 60 cases (233.3% rise), 792.3 per 100,000
• Boultham & New Boultham – 58 cases (114.8% rise), 625.5 per 100,000
• Hartsholme & Birchwood East – 33 cases (22.2% rise), 413.4 per 100,000

For more localised data, visit the government website here.

Despite the recent spike, the numbers for Lincoln are still lower than the case rate recorded at its peak in January.

Generally, cases are coming down across the county.

As reported previously, the rise in city centre cases has been attributed to the city’s nighttime economy.

Public Health Lincolnshire said that a particularly significant spike had been traced back to one of the city’s central nightclubs.

Natalie Liddle from Outbreak Management at the health body told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that Lincoln and Lincolnshire have traditionally been behind the national trend. The spike recorded, she added, is an expected lag, exacerbated by the lifting of lockdown.

“We have seen a rise in Lincolnshire following the normal pattern. Nationally those cases rose, as we saw in the region, and then began to come down and we have always tended to lag behind that trend. What we’re seeing is that natural spike that we would normally have, unfortunately for us that has coincided with the fact we have come out of lockdown.

“We’re managing a cluster of outbreaks in and around Lincoln. We have seen a particular increase in cases that are linked to nightclubs and the nighttime economy.”

A 22-year-old man from Scunthorpe has been given a life sentence in prison in connection with the murder of a 20-year-old man.

Peter Balog, 22, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a requirement to serve a minimum of 21 years before he can become eligible for release, after Abdullah Balouchi, 20, was murdered on Peel Street in Hull on October 7, 2020.

Balog initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to guilty after two weeks of the trial.

Abdirahman Aadan, 18, of Pendril Street, Hull, will be kept at her majesty’s pleasure for a minimum of 17 years, due to being 17-years-old at the time of conviction, after also being found guilty of murder.

Two other men, Khalid and Mohamed Aadan, 19 and 20 respectively, both of Pendrill Street, Hull, were found guilty of manslaughter and will serve 10 years detention in a young offenders institute.

Both have a requirement to serve a minimum of two thirds of that period before consideration can be given to the remaining time served in the community under license.

20-year-old Abdullah Balouchi was murdered on Peel Street in Hull on October 7, 2020. | Photo: Humberside Police

The investigation into Abdullah’s murder will continue, as police say there are still outstanding suspects.

Humberside Police have vowed to not rest until all individuals have been brought to justice.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent, Robert Clark said: “Whilst these convictions and lengthy sentences will not bring back Abdullah, I hope they will provide the Balouchi family with some sense of closure as they continue to grieve for their loved one.”

“I just, again, want to thank them for their strength, courage and dignity during what has been a very painful and difficult time, one that no family should have to endure.”

“Abdullah’s murder was a senseless act bringing the most violent of crime onto the streets of Hull, effecting not only the Abdullah’s family and friends but also this close knit community.

“We continue to work closely in the area around Spring Bank to unite people and make sure that it is a safe place for everyone to live and work.”

Health and safety teams in Lincoln are currently investigating after an Asian supermarket in the city was seen delivering unrefrigerated meat to its premises.

A van was seen parked up outside Asia Supermarket on St Mark Street on Tuesday, with multiple animal carcasses in the back to be delivered to the shop.

An eyewitness saw the food uncovered in the back of the van before being wheeled into the shop in a trolley.

Questions have been asked about the refrigeration of the goods, and the hygiene of how it was transported to the supermarket.

Asia Supermarket is located on St Mark Street in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

City of Lincoln Council’s inspectors have confirmed that an investigation is now underway after a complaint was issued to them on Tuesday afternoon.

Louise Harding, Food, Health and Safety Team Leader at City of Lincoln Council, said: “We have been made aware of the incident and have begun an investigation.”

The owners of the supermarket have claimed that their original refrigerated van had broken down, and all relevant checks were taken before storing the food in the chiller room.

A spokesperson for Asia Supermarket told The Lincolnite: “Our refrigerator van broke down and we could not leave the meat in that van. Because of this we used another van to bring the meat to the supermarket, as it was not far from the shop.

“All the goods were delivered in a different van, and all the temperature checks were done before being taken into the chiller room.”