THE Covid infection rate is beginning to fall in parts of the region - a sign that lockdown restrictions may be having an effect. 

Two out of fourteen council areas across the North-East and North Yorkshire have reported a fall in cases in the past week.

Meanwhile the Covid infection rate, although still rising in all other areas, appears to be slowing down.

SEE MORE: Map shows how Covid picture has changed in North-East in one month

Latest Public Health England data, made available on January 14, shows how the situation is appearing to change. 

The Northern Echo has compared the data from the seven days to January 8, and the seven days to January 1, to see how things are developing.

The Northern Echo: Picture: PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLANDPicture: PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND

Here is how the Covid infection rate compares in your area - in order of percentage

Data is accurate at time of publication, in the seven days to January 1 - compared with the seven days to January 8.

1. Redcar and Cleveland

Number of cases this week: 609 (was 431 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 444.0 per 100,000 people (was 314.3 last week)

Cases are UP by 41.3 per cent (was 169.4 per cent)

2. Newcastle

Number of cases this week: 896 (was 652 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 295.9 per 100,000 people (was 215.3 last week)

Cases are UP by 37.4 per cent (was 63.0 per cent)

3. North Tyneside

Number of cases this week: 624 (was 515 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 300.1 per 100,000 people (was 247.7 last week)

Cases are UP by 21.2 per cent (was up 55.6 per cent)

4. Middlesbrough

Number of cases this week: 760 (was 658 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 466.7 per 100,000 people (was 539.1 last week)

Cases are UP by 15.5 per cent (was 107.6 per cent) 

5. Hambleton

Number of cases this week: 401 (was 350 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 437.8 per 100,000 people (was 382.1 last week)

Cases are UP by 14.6 per cent (was 53.5 per cent)

6. Darlington

Number of cases this week: 489 (was 435 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 457.9 per 100,000 people (was 407.3 last week)

Cases are UP by 12.4 per cent (was 69.9 per cent)

7. Stockton

Number of cases this week: 903 (was 819 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 457.6 per 100,000 people (was 415.0 last week)

Cases are UP by 10.3 per cent (was 82.8 per cent) 

8. Gateshead 

Number of cases this week: 848 (was 817 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 419.7 per 100,000 people (was 404.3 last week)

Cases are UP by 3.8 per cent (was 61.8 per cent)

9. County Durham

Number of cases this week: 2,464 (was 2,386 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 464.8 per 100,000 people (was 450.1 last week)

Cases are UP by 3.3 per cent (was 79.4 per cent)

10. Hartlepool

Number of cases this week: 750 (was 729 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 800.7 per 100,000 people (was 778.3 last week)

Cases are UP by 2.9 per cent (was up 100.3 per cent)

11. Richmondshire

Number of cases this week: 25 (was 25 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 480.2 per 100,000 people (was 469.0 last week)

Cases are UP by 2.9 per cent (was 157.1 per cent)

12. Sunderland

Number of cases this week: 1,366 (was 1,334 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 491.9 per 100,000 people (was 480.4 last week)

Cases are UP by 2.4 per cent (was 145.7 per cent)

Where cases have fallen

1. South Tyneside 

Number of cases this week: 658 (was 749 last week)

Covid-19 infection rate: 435.8 per 100,000 people (was 496.1 last week)

Cases are DOWN by 12.1 per cent (was up 119 per cent)

2. Northumberland

Number of cases this week: 998 (was 1,115 seven days ago)

Covid-19 infection rate: 309.5 per 100,000 people (was 345.8 last week)

Cases are DOWN by 10.5 per cent (was up 78.7 per cent)