THE North-East areas that have seen the largest increase in Covid-19 infections have been revealed in latest Public Health England data.

It shows how most local authority areas have seen a dramatic rise in the number of confirmed cases, compared to the week previous.

Sunderland has seen the highest rise in cases across the North-East, with an increase of 387 per cent.

Hartlepool and Gateshead have also seen a large jump in cases in the past week with an increase of 288 per cent and 243 per cent respectively. 

Meanwhile, County Durham and Darlington have seen an increase, with 76 per cent and 67 per cent, respectively over the past week. 

The data, which was published on September 7, compares the rate of new cases in the seven days up to September 4, with the number of cases recorded in the seven days up to August 28. 

The figures, for the seven days to September 4, are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

The reason that data for the past three days has been excluded is because it is incomplete and likely to be revised. 

The coronavirus infection rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Here's how the North-East compares in order of biggest week-on-week rise

Sunderland - 38.5 cases per 100,000 (was 7.9) - 387 per cent increase (107 new cases)

Hartlepool - 41.6 cases per 100,000 (was 10.7) - 288 per cent increase (39 new cases)

Gateshead - 46 cases per 100,000 (was 13.4) - 243 per cent increase (93 new cases)

North Tyneside 23.1 cases per 100,000 (was 9.1) - 153 per cent increase (48 new cases)

Northumberland 18.9 cases per 100,000 (was 8.1) - 133 per cent increase (61 new cases)

Newcastle upon Tyne - 30.4 cases per 100,000 (was 13.2) - 130 per cent increase (92 new cases)

Middlesbrough  - 44 cases per 100,000 (was 22.7) -  93 per cent increase (62 new cases)

Stockton-on-Tees 21.3 cases per 100,000 (was 11.1) - 91 per cent increase (42 new cases)

County Durham 19.1 cases per 100,000 (was 10.5) - 76 per cent increase (101 new cases)

Darlington 9.4 cases per 100,000 (was 5.6) - 67 per cent increase (10 new cases)

South Tyneside - 45 cases per 100,000 (was 35.8) - 25 per cent increase (68 new cases)

Redcar and Cleveland 20.4 cases per 100,000 (was 19.7) - 3.5 per cent increase (28 new cases)

This comes as several venues on Wearside had to close due to customers and staff testing positive for Covid-19 this week.

This prompted Sunderland’s Director of Public Health to issue a warning and reminders to those living in and around the city.

She said: "It’s really important that everyone acts responsibly and follows the public health guidance when outside of the home if we are to keep our community safe.

"The best way to help protect our families, friends and neighbours is to follow the basic rules of Hands, Face, Space – wash your hands for 20 seconds often, cover your face in public, stay 2 metres apart and stay at home if you have symptoms or are waiting for Covid test results."