THERE are now 268 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the North-East and North Yorkshire region, latest figures from the Department of Health show.

Among the highest in the North-East, Newcastle, Sunderland and County Durham local authorities have reported the highest number of patients testing positive for COVID-19.

As of Wednesday (March 25) the number of cases reported by each affected local authority in the North-East and North Yorkshire are:

- Newcastle 58

- Sunderland 25

- County Durham 25

- Darlington 4

- Hartlepool 3

- Redcar & Cleveland 10

- Stockton 14

- North Tyneside 23

- South Tyneside 9

- Gateshead 10

- Northumberland 19

- Middlesbrough 9

- York 14

- North Yorkshire 45

How many people have been tested nationwide?

As of Wednesday, 9,529 people across the UK tested positive for COVID-19 out of 97,019 people - the number of cases have increased by 1,452 overnight.

The current death toll stands at 463 with the majority of patients reportedly having had an underlying health condition.