THE number of Covid cases in the region went up in the week schools across England returned, latest figures have shown.

Most recent Public Health England data for the North-East and North Yorkshire shows how eight out 14 council areas reported a rise in cases.

It comes as primary and secondary schools reopened their doors to pupils on March 8, following the easing of some lockdown restrictions.

The figures, which show the picture in the seven days leading to March 12, compared with the previous seven, showed a marked increase in some areas.

>>>See the figures for your council area below<<<

Although it's not yet clear what impact the reopening of schools has had on Covid cases, Darlington Borough Council said a "robust" testing regime had recently identified a number of asymptomatic cases in pupils. 

They made the comments last night following a spike in Covid infections in the past week, which led to the area seeing the highest infection rate in the region.

SEE MORE: Darlington council respond after surge in Covid infections in past week

Meanwhile, three council areas on Teesside, and two in North Yorkshire, also recorded notable increases - with one seeing cases rise by around 95 per cent.

Although cases have increased, the upward trend in infections is still much lower than what we faced at the peak of the second wave as all areas have seen a huge drop in the past eight weeks.

But for Councillor Bob Cook, leader of Stockton Borough Council, the data shows the continued importance of following national restrictions.

>>>See the figures for your council area below<<<

Following a recent increase in infections across the borough, Cllr Cook said the council's more recent weekly dashboard showed cases were again falling.

He said: “Our weekly Covid-19 dashboard (view here) published today shows the number of Covid-19 cases across the Borough as a whole has fallen.

"We’re keen to get the rate down further and I ask everyone to continue playing their part by following the national ‘hands, face, space’ and lockdown guidelines, getting tested and when necessary, self isolating to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”

Here's how each local authority area compares - in order of Covid infection rates across the North-East and North Yorkshire

These are the figures from the seven days to March 12, compared with the seven days to March 5. 

1. DARLINGTON

​Number of cases this week: 135 (up 35)

Covid infection rate: 126.4 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are UP 35.0 per cent

2. HARTLEPOOL

​Number of cases this week: 113 (up 2)

Covid infection rate: 120.6 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are UP 1.8 per cent

3. STOCKTON 

​Number of cases this week: 213 (up 19)

Covid infection rate: 107.9 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are UP 9.8 per cent

4. MIDDLESBROUGH

​Number of cases this week: 146 (down 38)

Covid infection rate: 103.6 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 8.2 per cent

5. SUNDERLAND 

​Number of cases this week: 224 (up 10)

Covid infection rate: 87.9 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are UP 4.3 per cent

6. RICHMONDSHIRE

​Number of cases this week: 45 (up 22)

Covid infection rate: 83.8 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are UP 95.7 per cent

7. SOUTH TYNESIDE

​Number of cases this week: 113 (up 6)

Covid infection rate: 74.8 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are UP 5.6 per cent

8. NORTH TYNESIDE 

​Number of cases this week: 152 (down 45)

Covid infection rate: 73.1 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 22.8 per cent

9. COUNTY DURHAM

​Number of cases this week: 377 (down 62)

Covid infection rate: 71.1 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 14.1 per cent

10. NEWCASTLE

​Number of cases this week: 210 (down 10)

Covid infection rate: 69.3 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 4.5 per cent

11. REDCAR AND CLEVELAND

​Number of cases this week: 92 (down 9)

Covid infection rate: 67.1 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 8.9 per cent

12. GATESHEAD

​Number of cases this week: 122 (up 3)

Covid infection rate: 60.4 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are UP 2.5 per cent

13. HAMBLETON

​Number of cases this week: 47 (UP 13)

Covid infection rate: 51.3 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are UP 38.2 per cent

14. NORTHUMBERLAND

​Number of cases this week: 156 (down 21)

Covid infection rate: 48.4 cases per 100,000 people

Cases are DOWN 11.9 per cent