THE North-East has been warned to continue adhering to lockdown rules after it emerged almost every part of the region had seen a rise in Covid cases in the past week.

Authorities across the region have urged people to follow the rules if the region is to get a chance of seeing relaxed measures by Christmas.

It comes as latest Public Health England data for North-East and North Yorkshire showed that 13 out of 14 council areas had reported a rise in the number of new cases.

SEE MORE: Almost EVERY part of North-East and North Yorkshire has seen rise in Covid cases in past week

Anaysis of the data showed that the infection rate was climbing in every council area in the region, except for Hambleton in North Yorkshire.

The data, which showed the regional picture in the seven days leading to November 11, showed thousands of new cases were reported in the past week.

This afternoon, the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen urged residents to adhere to the rules in a bid to see restrictions eased for the festive period.

He said: "It is absolutely essential that we all follow the rules to get this deadly virus under control as soon as possible.

"We all know, sadly, Christmas won't feel normal this year but by acting now, hopefully some of these measures can be relaxed in time for the festive season so people can spend time with their family and friends."

'Ive seen for myself the impact this virus can have'

Mr Houchen, who had previously been ill with symptoms of Covid after his wife tested positive, said he hoped everyone across the Tees Valley would "do their bit."

He said: "I've seen for myself the impact this virus can have with my wife and I both becoming ill in recent weeks, but I know many more people have suffered much worse than we have due to others losing loves ones and the impact it is having on livelihoods. But by sticking together and following the regulations, we can come out the other side. 

"I know this is a frustrating and hard time for everyone, but I urge everyone in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool to do their bit by staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.” 

The data from Public Health England showed Hartlepool had seen an significant increase in the number of new cases in the past week.

The data showed that cases were up 36.2 per cent, making it one of the UKs top areas where the Covid infection rate is high.

'Too early to see impact of national lockdown'

Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council, said it was currently "too early" to see the full impact of the national lockdown as she urged residents to continue sticking to the rules.

She said: “We have seen a rise in coronavirus cases in the last two weeks in both Gateshead and in much of the region.

"It would be too early for us to see the full impact of the lockdown however we did see an increase in daily activity after the announcement of the lockdown before it came into force, so we believe that this has impacted on the number of cases that we are seeing now.

"We were the only region of the country that managed to achieve a decline in coronavirus cases when we were in Tier 2 and we can do that again.

"If we all pull together over the next two weeks and do everything we can to get the rate of infection down then we will be in a stronger position when the national lockdown ends. Every single sacrifice a person makes adds up.

"We know it’s hard but I appeal to the community of the North East to do everything they can to help bring infections down.

"Stay at home as much as possible, keep social distancing and wear a mask when out and wash your hands frequently.”

'Follow the national restrictions'

Reminding residents in Darlington to stick to the rules, Councillor Kevin Nicholson, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Health & Housing, said: “We are monitoring very closely the data around the number of cases in Darlington, and will continue to do so.

"I would urge everyone to continue taking all the necessary steps to protect themselves, their families and their communities. The best way to do that is to follow the national restrictions.”

The warnings come as the Government will next week decide on what changes will need to be made to the tiered local lockdown system, once the national lockdown ends.

SEE MORE: Government to decide on new tier restrictions for England next week

Earlier today, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick today said that ministers want to see a "significant easing" of Covid restrictions when the lockdown ends on December 2.

But he suggested tighter controls are needed in areas that will see Tier 3 lockdown-style restrictions imposed.