might be improving. so, i was talking to london chief execs last week. what they were saying is they were seeing some very concerning daily increases of the numbers of people coming into hospital. 996, 1596. 9% on the 27th, 28th and 29th of december — but interestingly, in the last two days, those numbers have dropped, the increases, to 1% and 2%. but remember, there is a time lag between people being infected and some ending up in hospital, and the government does expect a big increase in people being admitted in the coming weeks. that was chris mason reporting. a critical incident has been declared at hospitals in lincolnshire because of covid—related staff shortages. the situation has been described as extreme and unprecedented by the nhs trust that runs them. it says essential services remain open. 0ur correspondent, danny savage, is at lincoln county hospital for us now.