THERE are now more areas across the North-East and North Yorkshire where Covid cases have fallen in the past week, The Northern Echo has found.

Analysis of Public Health England data showing the Covid-19 infection rate across every local authority area has revealed eight have seen a fall in the number of new cases.

The number of new positive tests reported in parts of the region continued to fall in the seven days to October 28, compared to the week before, seven days to October 21.

Some areas on Teesside, County Durham and Darlington were among those where the number of cases reported in the past week were lower.

It comes as the North-East will join the rest of the country in a nation-wide lockdown for at least four-weeks from Thursday.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he believes the Covid-19 outbreak in England could be defeated by Spring 2021.

SEE MORE: Boris Johnson says Covid-19 outbreak can be defeated by spring next year

The PM said the country had the "real prospect" of a vaccine in the first quarter of 2021 as he warned that the four-week lockdown was critical to control the spread of Covid.

The Northern Echo:

The North-East continues to see less Covid-19 cases than in other parts of the UK Picture: PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND

Using latest Public Health England data for the North-East and North Yorkshire, we've looked at what the current picture looks like for our part of the world.

These are the areas that have seen a FALL in the Covid-19 infection rate:

The infection figures are from the seven days to October 28, compared with the rate in the seven days to October 21.

1. Redcar and Cleveland 

Number of cases this week: 343 cases (478 cases week before)

Covid-19 infection rate: 250.1 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 28.2 per cent

2. Middlesbrough

Number of cases this week: 424 cases (570 cases week before)

Covid-19 infection rate: 300.8 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 25.6 per cent

3. Stockton

Number of cases this week: 752 cases (898 cases week before)

Covid-19 infection rate: 381.1 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 16.3 per cent

4. County Durham

Number of cases this week: 1,387 cases (1,653 cases week before)

Covid-19 infection rate: 261.7 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 16.1 per cent

5. Darlington

Number of cases this week: 271 cases (322 cases week before)

Covid-19 infection rate: 253.7 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 15.8 per cent

6. South Tyneside

Number of cases this week: 328 cases (385 cases week before)

Covid-19 infection rate: 217.3 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 14.8 per cent

7. Hartlepool

Number of cases this week: 282 cases (307 cases week before)

Covid-19 infection rate: 301.1 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 8.1 per cent

8. Newcastle

Number of cases this week: 878 cases (918 cases week before)

Covid-19 infection rate: 289.9 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 4.4 per cent

Towards the end of last week, leaders in the North-East reiterated the message that Covid-19 cases in the region were continuing to 'plateau'.

The comments were made while discussions over the potential to fall under Tier 3 restrictions were ongoing between leaders and Government.

At the time, Gateshead Council leader, councillor Martin Gannon said the region had a "very strong case" as number of new cases continued to fall.

He said: “Discussions are constantly going on between chief executives, directors of public health, and Public Health England.

“We have got a very strong case showing a plateau in new cases.”