NEARLY 1,030 people are currently being treated for Covid in hospitals across the North East and North Yorkshire, with almost 90 on ventilators.

Every NHS Trust across the region reported patients on ventilators, ranging from four to 21, while one trust is currently caring for 231 patients who have tested positive for coronavirus.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is treating 231 Covid patients in hospital, while nine are on ventilators.

The most recent data, which was reported on Tuesday, January 5, shows how trusts continue to grapple with the virus as it rampages through the country. 

It comes as a new, England-wide lockdown came into force last week and a mass vaccination regime gets underway in attempts to curb the virus that has taken hold of the world.

Professor Chris Whitty said this is the “most dangerous time” in terms of numbers of people with Covid-19 needing NHS care.

England’s chief medical officer told BBC Breakfast: “I think everybody accepts that this is the most dangerous time we’ve really had in terms of numbers into the NHS at this point in time.

“Everybody knows what they need to do. And I think that’s the key thing – minimise the number of contacts.”

The chief executive of the NHS Confederation Danny Mortimer said NHS staff are working harder than during the peak of the first wave of the pandemic and urged the public to comply with rules in the absence of a “properly functioning” Test and Trace system.

Here's how each NHS Trust here compares

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust - 231 Covid patients in hospital - 9 on ventilators

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust - 221 Covid patients in hospital - 10 on ventilators

North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust - 175 Covid patients in hospital - 12 on ventilators

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - 141 Covid patients in hospital - 21 on ventilators

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - 98 Covid patients in hospital - 15 on ventilators

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - 100 Covid patients in hospital - 17 on ventilators 

Gateshead Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - 63 Covid patients in hospital - 4 on ventilators 

Total number of Covid patients being cared for in the region: 1,029

Total number of Covid patients on ventilators in the region: 88