THERE have been 127 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the North-East and North Yorkshire bringing the region’s total to 22,610 from 22,483. Here is what else has happened in the last 24 hours.

  • Public Health England said that as of 9am on Monday, there had been a further 2,621 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. Overall, 371,125 cases have been confirmed. The figures for new cases and deaths do not include those from Northern Ireland and only represent those for Britain. PHE also said a further nine people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday. This brings the UK total since the start of the pandemic to 41,637. PHE also said a further nine people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday. This brings the UK total to 41,637.
  • North-East councils want to impose new lockdown restrictions to combat a huge spike in Covid-19 cases. Political leaders from across the region are writing to the government to call for “stricter Covid-19 prevention measures” to be put in place, it has been confirmed. Exact details of what those measures will be have not yet been finalised – but they are set to include restrictions on the opening hours and operations of pubs, bars, restaurants, takeaways, and cafes.
  • A Darlington school has told an entire year group to self-isolate after a family member of a pupil tested positive for Covid-19.Carmel College has told parents that all Year 11 pupils must self-isolate after being notified of the positive test over the weekend. A spokesperson for the school said it had taken the 'precautionary measure' as it said all year groups are kept apart on site.
  • SEVERAL other North-East schools have confirmed positive Covid-19 cases - with two in Durham City affected. St Leonard's School on North Road, and Framwellgate School, have both confirmed coronavirus cases within the schools. Meanwhile, three further schools in the Tyne and Wear area have had to close to some year groups following positive cases. 
  • There has been a "significant increase" in confirmed cases of Covid-19 over the last week in County Durham, although hospital admissions for the virus remain low. The rate of infection in the area is now the highest it has been in months, but remains less than a quarter of the levels reached at the outbreak’s peak in April and May. But health bosses have urged families to keep complying with social distancing and other rules as workers return to offices and schools reopen.
  • An under-18s version of Northern Ireland’s Covid tracing app should be launched before the end of the month, the health minister has said. It will include age-appropriate information and encouragement throughout all stages to speak to a parent or guardian. Children will be able to use the app in a way that ensures anonymity. Department of Health chief digital information officer Dan West said: “We are working alongside colleagues in the education sector to get ready for the launch of this new version."mmmmm
  • Safety measures put in place to protect shopworkers and customers from coronavirus became “flashpoints” for abuse of staff, according to a union leader. Dave McCrossen, deputy general secretary of the shopworkers union Usdaw, said most people supported the efforts put in place in supermarkets and other stores. He told the “virtual” TUC Congress that a “significant” minority of customers abused and threatened shopworkers.
  • Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has gone into coronavirus self-isolation after a member of his household developed symptoms. He will continue working from home, but will not take part in Commons proceedings on Monday. The situation emerged shortly after he took part in a show on LBC, and the Labour leader’s office has alerted the broadcaster.
  • Domino’s Pizza has said it is creating 5,000 jobs as it continues to benefit from the Covid-19 pandemic and households turn to its deliveries in droves. Bosses said they would also create 1,000 apprenticeship positions under the Government’s new Kickstart scheme, with “ambitious individuals” given the opportunity to apply for permanent roles following a six-month placement. The new positions will include pizza chefs, customer service workers and delivery drivers, and are on top of the 6,000 jobs Domino’s said it has created since the start of the pandemic.
  • More than half of the 19,171 fines issued for alleged breaches of Covid-19 laws in England and Wales have not been paid, according to the Attorney General. In a letter to the Justice Committee, Suella Braverman revealed just 8,930 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) – 7,375 in England and 1,555 in Wales – have been paid. Figures published in the letter, dated August 25, show 8,954 FPNs – 8,325 in England and 629 in Wales – have not been paid in time and can be considered for prosecution. Another 1,287 unpaid FPNs are still w