THE NORTH-EAST now has the highest coronavirus infection rate in the UK, latest figures reveal.

Public Health England figures, correct as of 5pm on April 28, reveal a total of 7,224 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the region.

Although the number of confirmed cases are somewhat lower than in other parts of the UK, the actual rate of infection is higher.

Analysis carried out by The Northern Echo shows the region had 271 cases per 100,000 people - overtaking London at the weekend.

Comparing latest data from Public Health England and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), we were able to see how the region ranked.

The capital, which has a population of 8,908,081, has seen a total of 24,090 confirmed cases - this works out at 270 cases per 100,000 people.

Meanwhile the North-East, which has a population of 2,657,909, has seen a total of 7,224 confirmed cases - which works out at 271 per 100,000.

It comes as historically the region had the lowest infection rate in the UK as the coronavirus outbreak unfolded earlier this year.

Meanwhile, The Northern Echo last week found a North-East NHS Trust was among England's trusts with the highest Covid-19 death toll of 248 at time of publication.

The South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust was found to rank eighth for Covid-19 deaths out of almost 200 trusts in England excluding London.

Where the North-East's infection rate ranks among the UK - as of April 28: