A NUMBER of new coronavirus cases have been confirmed across the North-East and North Yorkshire as the UK total rose above 3,000 on Thursday.

According to Public Health England, 65 people in the region have now tested positive for COVID-19 with the highest number of cases being recorded in Newcastle and on Teesside.

As of 9am on Thursday (March 19) the number of cases reported by each affected local authority stands at:

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne 

- 19

County Durham

- 5

Darlington

- 2

Hartlepool

- 2

Redcar & Cleveland

- 1

Stockton

- 9

South Tyneside 

- 2

Gateshead

- 1

Northumberland

- 6

North Yorkshire

- 13

York

- 5

Current coronavirus guidance from the NHS

It says people must stay at home if you have either:

- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

Those with suspected COVID-19 have been asked to strongly avoid going to their GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital as to avoid further spread of the disease.

Visit nhs.uk for the latest health advice