NORTH-EAST Covid rates have 'levelled off' but Yorkshire remains high, new data reveals.

There continues to be evidence of variation in Covid-19 infection rates across the regions of England, the Office for National Statistics said.

The highest rates are in north-west England and Yorkshire & the Humber.

Rates also remain high in north-east England, but the ONS said these have now levelled off and “there is now a larger gap with the other two northern regions”.

Despite this, parts of the North-East are expected to see tighter lockdown restrictions as early as next week.

The Tees Valley, which includes Darlington, could be placed under Tier 3 restrictions as early as Tuesday or Wednesday following a rise in Covid cases and hospitalisations.

Talks between council and authority leaders and the Government are taking place, with a decision expected shortly.

The lowest rates are in south-east England, south-west England and eastern England.

An estimated 568,100 people in private households in England had Covid-19 between October 17 and 23.

This is the equivalent of around 1.04 per cent of the population.

The figures represent a jump from 433,300 people, or 0.79 per cent of the population, who were estimated to have Covid-19 in the previous week of October 10 to 16.