There have been 3,360 cases of coronavirus so far this week in Greater Lincolnshire, but cases nationally continue to increase.
The figure is just 17% down on the 4,051 cases at the same point last week. There have been 746 new cases in Friday evening’s figures.
However, the latest government data also shows there have been 12 deaths of Lincolnshire residents this week – up from eight last week – and nine deaths reported at Greater Lincolnshire’s hospitals, up from eight last week.
The latest COVID stats for Lincolnshire are:
746 new cases of coronavirus in Greater Lincolnshire with 536 in Lincolnshire, 133 in North East Lincolnshire and 77 in North Lincolnshire
Three further deaths were recorded in the government figures including two Lincolnshire and one North East Lincolnshire resident
Three further deaths were recorded in Greater Lincolnshire Hospitals with one at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust and two at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Trust
Despite lower figures this week locally, nationally, infection rates have risen to their highest level since January.
England’s R number – which symbolises how many people each infected person passes the virus on to – has risen slightly from between 1.1 and 1.2 to between 1.1 and 1.3.
The Office for National Statistics said one in 50 people in England had the virus in the week ending October 22, the highest level since January 2 and up from one in 55 the previous week.
The ONS said the positivity rate for COVID-19 was estimated to have increased in all regions except the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.
South-west England had the highest proportion for any region with a rate of one in 40 people.
The UK Health Security Agency has urged caution among students returning to school next week.
Cases among 10 to 19-year-olds are currently the highest of any age group, with a weekly rate of 1,201 per 100,000 people nationally, and pupils are now being asked to take a test before going back.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, said: “As students prepare to go back to school and college after half term, it is vital that they are taking free and easy rapid tests that will help detect COVID-19 infections from those who are not showing symptoms to keep the virus at bay.”
The UKHSA has also said that only 19.3% of 12-15 year olds nationally after revising the figure down from 22.1% following a change in official counting measures.
In Greater Lincolnshire the figure was hovering around a third, but it is unclear whether the latest changes will bring the number down.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday, October 28
136,629 cases (up 746)
91,146 in Lincolnshire (up 536)
22,181 in North Lincolnshire (up 77)
23,301 in North East Lincolnshire (up 133)
2,402 deaths (up three)
1,754 from Lincolnshire (up two)
329 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
319 from North East Lincolnshire (up one)
of which 1,443 hospital deaths (up three)
887 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up one)
44 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
511 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up two)
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.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday, October 28
135,882 cases (up 2,614)
2,399 deaths (up nine)
of which 1,440 hospital deaths (up six)
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Sunday, October 24
133,268 cases
2,390 deaths
of which 1,434 hospital deaths
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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: