PARTS of the North-East are expected to see tighter lockdown restrictions imposed on them as early as next week following a rise in Covid cases and hospitalisations.
The Northern Echo understands that the Tees Valley, which includes Darlington, could be placed under Tier 3 restrictions as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.
Talks between council and authority leaders and the Government are taking place over the next several hours, with a decision expected shortly.
But how did we get here?
We've analysed latest Public Health England and NHS England data for the Tees Valley to see what exactly has prompted concerns from officials.
SEE MORE: Parts of the North-East to remain under Tier 2 - but talks continue for the Tees Valley
On Thursday it emerged that this part of the region was on the cusp of seeing tighter restrictions imposed, which would ban the mixing of households both indoors and in most outdoor places - including private gardens.
It would also see pubs that do not serve 'substantial' meals ordered to close, while gyms and leisure centres could be at risk of closure.
At the time, Redcar's Conservative MP Jacob Young said a move into Tier 3 would be 'quite likely' as a statement from the areas council leaders confirmed the Government's intention to place the Tees Valley under new measures.
It had previously been reported that the Government were concerned following a rise in hospitalisation numbers and concern from local Public Health England officials.
What is the situation in our hospitals here?
Echo analysis of NHS data has found hospitalisations among the area's four NHS Trusts continue to rise - with the number of deaths sharply increasing in the past week.
The data, which shows every Covid related death between October 4 and October 23, has shown how the situation is unfolding.
Over that three week period, the trusts with hospitals in the Tees Valley have confirmed 65 Covid deaths.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
October 17 to 23 - 10 deaths
October 10 to 16 - 10 deaths
October 3 to 9 - 7 deaths
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
October 17 to 23 - 9 deaths
October 10 to 16 - 5 deaths
October 3 to 9 - 4 deaths
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
October 17 to 23 - 7 deaths
October 10 to 16 - 4 deaths
October 3 to 9 - 8 deaths
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust
October 17 to 23 - 1 deaths
October 10 to 16 - 0 deaths
October 3 to 9 - 0 deaths
How many new cases?
Analysis of Public Health England data shows how four out of five local authorities in the Tees Valley have seen a rise in the number of newly reported Covid-19 cases.
Darlington
October 17 and October 23 - 281 new cases
October 10 and October 16 - 271 cases the week before
Stockton
October 17 and October 23 - 816 new cases
October 10 and October 16 - 647 cases the week before
Middlesbrough
October 17 and October 23 - 485 new cases
October 10 and October 16 - 395 cases the week before
Middlesbrough
October 17 and October 23 - 286 new cases
October 10 and October 16 - 296 cases the week before
Redcar and Cleveland
October 17 and October 23 - 404 new cases
October 10 and October 16 - 347 cases the week before
What we know so far
A decision is expected in the next 24 hours, as talks between council and authority leaders in the Tees Valley and Government.
SEE MORE: Parts of the North-East to remain under Tier 2 - but talks continue for the Tees Valley
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