MORE than 800 people have died in care home across the region after contracting coronavirus, figures published today reveal.

On Tuesday afternoon, The Office for National Statistics released the number of deaths in care homes where Covid-19 appears on the death certificate.

Over a four week period, care homes in the region notified the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of 806 Covid-19 related deaths.

In the North-East, care homes across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Darlington and Teesside recorded 641 such deaths.

Meanwhile in North Yorkshire, care homes across the region including in Hambleton and Richmondshire recorded 165 Covid-19 related deaths.

It comes as the UK Alzheimer's Society expressed concern about the overall death toll in care homes being higher than average for this time of year, as it called for the social care sector to be put "on an equal footing with the NHS".

Fiona Carragher, director of research and influencing, said: "70 percent of care home residents have dementia and we're deeply concerned that this indicates an increase in deaths due to dementia, caused by isolation and reduction in care workers.

"Each of these deaths is a heart-breaking loss to their friends, families and carers which is why the Government must honour their commitment to ensure care homes get testing for all residents and staff and the protective equipment they need."

The number of Covid-19 related care home deaths recorded by each local authority as of figures published on Tuesday, May 12:

County Durham - 170

Darlington - 39

Gateshead - 59

Hartlepool - 28

Newcastle - 58

Middlesbrough - 39

Stockton - 18

Redcar and Cleveland - 19

Northumberland - 65

North Tyneside - 33

South Tyneside - 45

Sunderland - 68

North Yorkshire - 123

York - 42 

Total: 806 deaths in care homes