Coronavirus key points from the last 24-hours

• A further 16 people have died in hospitals in our region after testing positive for coronavirus. Figures published on Tuesday afternoon confirmed a total of 1,566 people have died in hospitals in the North-East and North Yorkshire. Four NHS trusts in our region reported no change to the number of Covid-19 patient deaths but the figures are somewhat higher than the previous day’s. Figures published on Bank Holiday Monday revealed a further three people in our region had died from the virus while in hospital. Nationally, the UK coronavirus death toll increased by 134, bringing the total to 37,048.

• The organiser behind the weekly 'Clap for Carers' event has said this Thursday’s show of support should be the last. Annemarie Plas, a Dutch national living in South London, said she was 'overwhelmed' by the support for the cacophonous ritual, but said it was better to stop when it was at 'its peak'. She told the PA news agency: “I think it’s good to have the last of the series next Thursday (May 28), because to have the most impact I think it is good to stop it at its peak. “Without getting too political, I share some of the opinions that some people have about it becoming politicised. I think the narrative is starting to change and I don’t want the clap to be negative.”

The Thursday night 'clap for carers' has united communities but the organiser suggests it should stop after tomorrow

• Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that in his view, Dominic Cummings’s Durham visit was within the Government’s lockdown guidelines. Answering a series of questions on the topic at Tuesday evening’s Downing Street press briefing, Mr Hancock said the lockdown guidelines were drafted with "exceptional circumstances" in mind - allowing for the defence that Dominic Cummings had used. "It is reasonable to conclude that the description of events that Mr Cummings put out yesterday (Monday) was within the guidelines," Mr Hancock said. But he added that, "I understand that reasonable people will disagree with that and of course I understand some of the anger that boiled up over the weekend".

Government advisor Dominic Cummings has faced calls to resign over his lockdown visits to the North-East

• Darlington Borough Council has revealed a number of steps it will be taking when lockdown restrictions are relaxed from June 1. They include putting down social distancing markers, issuing guidance and changing arrangements for the outdoor market. Meanwhile, on street parking bays will be temporarily suspended in Grange Road, Northumberland Street and Duke Street to create space for pedestrians and shoppers to keep their distance. Parking in all council-run car parks and on-street bays will remain free. The outdoor market will be moved to the Market Square on Mondays and Saturdays to allow plenty of space around individual stalls and to prevent bottlenecks on Northgate and High Row. There will also be changes to bus stops around the town centre.

Darlington Borough Council has revealed how it plans to ease the town centre out of lockdown Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

• Regional flare-ups of coronavirus cases in England will result in a “local lockdown”, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said. Mr Hancock said the ability to tighten restrictions in individual regions will be part of the NHS test, track and trace system – which is set to expand on June 1. Mr Hancock told the daily press briefing on Tuesday evening: “We will have local lockdowns in future where there are flare-ups and we have a system we are putting in place with a combination of Public Health England and the new Joint Biosecurity Centre, along with the local directors of public health who play an absolutely crucial role in the decision-making in the system, to make sure if there is a local flare-up there is a local lockdown."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock at the Downing Street press briefing Picture: PA